Hong Kong, CANZUK, and Commonwealth: the United Kingdom’s role in defending freedom and the global order under ‘Global Britain’

Abstract

ABSTRACT With the deteriorating political situation in Hong Kong in recent years, some measures have been imposed on China by Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand (CANZUK). These have included a joint statement to condemn China and providing a route for Hongkongers to emigrate. This paper takes Hong Kong as an example to explain how Britain can reconnect the Commonwealth by taking a leading role in defending democracy and freedom under the ‘post-Brexit Global Britain’ banner. This paper argues that CANZUK’s actions on Hong Kong can be extended to the Commonwealth, as this is not without precedent.