Disputed Myanmar election wins China's vote of confidence

LASHIO, Myanmar (AFP) -- Myanmar's military-run elections are being pilloried abroad and shunned at home, but neighboring China has emerged as an enthusiastic backer of the pariah poll. International monitors have dismissed the vote starting Sunday as a charade to rebrand Myanmar's military rule since a 2021 coup, which triggered a civil war. But Beijing's brokerage has secured watershed truces and retreats by rebel groups -- turning the tide of the conflict and strengthening the junta's hand ah