A few things that may be worth considering;

If you can get to SYD then you could consider purchasing a Cathay Asia Passport which starts at around US $ 1400.00

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...0021d21c39____

There is also one that commences from the USA as well - if you go to Cathay's website in US it should have something there.

NB - The Australian one allows you to claim miles - the USA AFAIK doesn't.

I would also think, at the prices that you have quoted for a RTW - that you can actually do the trips for cheaper purchasing individual tickets

Eg - Cx - SYD - MNL will usually allow you a free stopover in HK in one direction - so you could then do

SYD - xHKG - MNL - HKG on one ticket and HKG - PEK - HKG on another. Then;

1. Pick up a cheap return to USA from HKG/TPE - which will allow you to come back to Asia within the year. You may also be able to nest HKG-SYD as well.

2. Buy SAN-SYD-SAN from USA and fly SYD-xHKG - MNL - HKG - (seperate ticket HKG-PEK-HKG) SYD

Cheap economy tickets can easily be picked up within Asia - often allowing
extra stopovers - which for a limited RTW route - may be a better option.

Check out CX offers page on each of their individual country sites and also

www.zuji.com and throw in various routes - it will give you a guide to prices- although I usually find that tickets can be picked up locally cheaper than what comes up in their engine.