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 Singaporean conscription, the North Korea nuclear talks, China and the Japan/America alliance, China's developing economy, Sadaam in Shanghai, blogging from Nepal, Japanders 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

• Is Hepatitis rather than selective abortion responsible for the growing gender imbalance in China?
• Is China America's strategic competitor, it's banker, or both?
• Hong Kongers are learning a new greeting for tourists. Then they can go see the hottest show in town.
• Chinese literature has a rich body of work. ESWN digs up a gay novel..from the 1650s.
• Even if you get the right numbers you may not win the lottery.
• China can expect to be a fully developed economy...by 2080.
• Are China's peasants about to revolt?
• Sadaam is found on a slipper in Shanghai...the start of a new brand?
• Foreign Policy had 7 China experts talk about China's rising (via CDN).
• Can Tung Che-hwa rid Hong Kong of the invaders?
• Henry Blodget asked for China business stories. He got a great one from Perry Wu (via Fons).
• In Sino-American relations, misunderstandings and mistrust are now the norm, but the two have more in common than they realise. The question remains how China will interpret the various messages coming out of the White House, State and the Pentagon. Plenty more on this theme in the Korea section.

Korea and Japan

• China is trying to get NK back to talking over the nuclear issue even though NK isn't interested unless unnamed conditions are met. Thomas Barnett thinks America is missing a chance to make a deal with China out of all this, although I'm not convinced China has as much leverage over NK as many think, a point Howard French echoes in looking at China's pessimism and worries over North Korea. Infidel has an in depth look at the Barnett article. Oranckay says China is the problem when it comes to NK and GI Korea adds his thoughts. Sean has the reaction in Japan. In the Agora has a roundup of political developments across East Asia including all of this.
• The US and Japan are upgrading their security pact and and co-ordinating on Taiwan as well as North Korea.
• South Korea's Uri Party signs an agreement with the CCP.
• There's strong support in Japan for the death penalty. On the other hand suicides are reaching record highs too.
• Japan's growing Korea craze.
• Women during Meiji Restoration.
• The NK casino closed due to a Chinese gambling crackdown is going to become a tourism centre instead.

SE and Other Asia

• Al-Qaeda took 2 Indonesians hostage (they were later released) to "clarify" why they are in the country. Isn't it just easier to ask?
• A massage-palour king is starting his second career: as a politician. Is there a difference?
• Lots of interesting stuff from Radio Free Nepal blog. Look how Democracy Day was "celebrated".
• The Swanker looks at the latest in the tsunami relief efforts.
• Singaporean bloggers have been debating conscription. Redrown has a five part series: The 3 Mentalities; Social Anomalies; Pointing Fingers; False Security; Is Attack the best form of Defence? In response a detailed critique from Singapore Angle comes in 3 parts: critique on parts 1-3; critique on part 4; critique on part 5. A more detailed overall critique is here with final thoughts on the conversation. The Singapore Commentator lives up to the blog name and also posts comments on the issue. Next is the counter response to the critique from the original author. The posts and responses lay out many issues around conscription. Fascinating reading and all the better for the debate of ideas rather than descending into ad hominem attacks.

Miscellany

• Japanders galore. See Mariah Carey, Sean Connery and California's Governor hocking products in Japan.
• There are some places chili oil is not meant to go.
• Honesty in advertising.