Asia by Blog is a twice weekly feature providing links to Asian blogs and their views on the news in this fascinating region. Previous editions can be found here.

This edition contains parallels between modern Iraq and 1912 China, parallels between kamikaze and suicide bombers, the world's not quite free-est economy, Zhao Ziyang's funeral, Korea's troops in Iraq, Bill Gates and Reds, a WEF cover for a Sino-EU arms deal, North Korea falling apart, Gmail being censored, an almost smoke-free Bhutan, Chinese journalism students discussing Zhao Yan and the perfect Valentine gifts, plus much more...

The round-up has four key areas of focus:

• China, Taiwan & Hong Kong
• Korea & Japan
• South-East & Other Asia
• Miscellany

China, Taiwan and Hong Kong

• Are there parallels between Iraq and 1912 China? Does that mean Iraq will be running by Communists in 2035?
• Hong Kong: not the world's free-est economy. Even China is installing anti-trust laws while "free" HK has none.
• Will words turn to deeds for the CCP's promises over rural problems.
• There are some arguing the yuan is not undervalued. Brad Setser lists the points and argues why each is wrong.
• ESWN demonstrates the gap in reporting between the English and Chinese press in Hong Kong. Also a look at the de facto undermining of official book publishing in China.
• Zhao Ziyang's low-key funeral. The official obit balanced his contributions with In the political turbulence which took place in the late spring and early summer of 1989, Comrade Zhao committed serious mistakes. Bill notes the importance of the word turbulence rather than turmoil in the Chinese version.
• First it was the Reds, now it's the Red Ants taking over Hong Kong.
• The Emperor and his tree.
• The best 70 year old map of Shanghai you'll ever find. Meanwhile Beijing's older sites are falling prey to the bulldozer and modernisation.
• Psychics are no longer allowed to advertise on radio and TV. They'll need to resort to telepathy instead. And in pseudo-science news, Chinese people are apparently better at controlling their emotions than Westerners. Running Dog suspects otherwise, as does Laosan.
• The first direct flights between Taiwan and China in 55 years touched down this week. Except they had to go via HK airspace...not the most direct route.
• A group of HK writers and journalists are working on setting up a platform for HK blogs (via CG).
• Bill Gates does a Rupert Murdoch on China's leadership and economy. This is the same leadership selling missiles to Iran and which is asserting more Communist control of business.
• Has the World Economic Forum been used to broker a Sino-European arms deal?
• Some Hong Kongers are trying to expunge the records of the 1967 rioters. Roland looks at the various issues and crimes involved.
• China is prepared to sponsor elections in Iraq, but not at home. Instead it's democracy with Chinese characteristics.
• An interview with the late Susan Sontag and her thoughts on a range of issues concerning China and Asia (via ESWN)
• China is watching Gmail.
• Making a racket Chinese style.
• How big is Wal-Mart? They buy 1.1% of all Chinese output.
• The students at WOW have been having an ongoing discussion on the case of Zhao Yan, the NY Times researcher arrested by the Beijing SSB. The introduction is a good place to start for background; Lianne Li discusses press freedom in the wake of the case; Charlotte Li takes NYT journalist Kristof to task; Julia Zhu looks at the role of the press and different models of expression and speech; and Christina Liang doesn't think individuals should sacrifice in the face of powerful Government. It's heartening to read the next generation of Chinese journalists confronting these issues.

Korea and Japan

• A look at the parallels between Japan's kamikaze and today's suicide bombers.
• All soy is not the same.
• A report on Korean troops in Iraq
• Is North Korea falling apart? Much more debate at NK Zone as well.
• What do Sumo champions do once they retire?
• A summary of recent developments in North Korea and inter-Korean relations.
• Taiwan's President Chen has a friend in Japan.
• Scholars from China, Japan and Korea are working to produce a combined modern East Asian history textbook.
• A look at the relationship between Japanese women and Western and Korean men.
• Sanyo has found a way to boost its sales: beg its staff to buy its own products. But if they aren't buying them already, why would anybody else.

SE and Other Asia

• In India, Goa has tourism, Assam has tea and Bihar has kidnapping.
• Intrigue in the top ranks of Myanmar's junta.
• If you're a journalist in the Philippines, check your life insurance.
• Bhutan is smoke free...but you can still hang out at the back of the Royal Palace for a quick one.
• Malaysia's bloggers had a get-together.
• A review of economic blogging on India.
• Details of an upcoming forum in Singapore titled Towards an open and inclusive society

Miscellany

• For the person who has everything, some Japanese (edible) Valentines ideas. Or how about this?
• Do these things really require instructions?
• NSFW: the story and picture of the infamous Hello Kitty "massager".