• Founded in 1931, the Commonwealth of Nations was originally established for the increasingly self-governing territories of the British Empire. After the Second World War, with the decolonisation and independence of the British Empire’s former colonies, the Commonwealth amended its rules to accept independent countries as members.
• Singapore became part of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1965. There are currently 56 member countries in the Commonwealth of Nations mostly former colonies of the British Empire, including 33 small states.
• The current head of the Commonwealth is the British monarch.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong believes that the various international organisations, including the Commonwealth of Nations, are important platforms for establishing goodwill and building relationships. He urged the Commonwealth nations to stay engaged and understand one another’s opinions as well as the challenges they face. (Lianhe Zaobao, 22/4/2018)

英联邦 (Mainland China)

• At the 1971 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, Singapore expressed its strong dissenting views on racism, especially on the topic of apartheid. This opinion united the member states of the Commonwealth of Nations to help South Africa end the issue of apartheid.