• Founded in 1931, the Commonwealth of Nations was formerly established for 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 association changed its rules to accept independent republic countries as members.
• Singapore became part of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1965. There are currently 53 sovereign states in the Commonwealth of Nations, mostly former colonies of the British Empire, including 31 small nations.

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 problems that they face. (Lianhe Zaobao, 22/4/2018)

英联邦 (Mainland China)

• In 1971, Singapore expressed their strong dissenting views on racism, especially on the topic of apartheid, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. This opinion united the member states of the Commonwealth of Nations to help South Africa end the issue of apartheid, which they were facing at the time.