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unification and is to be available for observation and consultation throughout Korea in the continuing development of representative government. The Commission's return at the end of 1949 was the signal for renewed demands from the north for its immediate withdrawal. As the situation along the border has remained tense, military observers proceeded to Korea in March at the Commission's request. In the meantime, the Republic of Korea has strengthened its international status. Twenty-seven countries, including New Zealand, have extended recognition to the Republic, and although its application for admission to the United Nations has been vetoed by the Soviet Union, it has been received into membership of a number of specialized international organizations. The regime in the north has continued to develop its ties with the Soviet bloc. 4. China An event of far-reaching consequence not only for New Zealand and the nations of Asia, but for the world as a whole, has been the collapse of the National Government on the mainland of China and the emergence from the protracted civil conflict of a unified and effective Communist regime. The withdrawal to Formosa of Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek's administration, and the formation in September of a Central People's Government in Peking, gave prominence to the problem of China's future international status, in which New Zealand has had a particular interest not only because of her direct relations with China, but also because of her membership of the United Nations and other bodies where the question of Chinese representation has arisen. New Zealand has continued to recognize the Nationalist Government as the only legal Government of China. A number of countries including the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, and Ceylon, have recognized the Communist Government of Mao Tse Tung. Developments in China were the subject of a continuing exchange of views among Commonwealth countries during the period. In November, 1949, the General Assembly discussed, at the request of the Chinese representative, an agenda item concerning threats to the political independence and territorial integrity of China resulting from Soviet violations of the 1945 Sino-Soviet Treaty and the Charter of the United Nations. The representatives of the Soviet group and Yugoslavia denied the right of the Nationalist delegate to represent the Chinese people, and said that they would not take part in the debate or recognize any decision adopted by the Assembly on this agenda item. After appealing to the Assembly to condemn Soviet breaches of the Sino-Soviet Treaty and the Charter, the Chinese