BEIJING, Aug 15: China has promised technical support and aid to military-run Myanmar for conducting a census, followed by an election, state media said on Thursday, signalling Beijing's backing to a junta cornered by an armed rebellion and steadily losing ground.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday during a visit to the capital Naypyitaw where they held discussions to conduct an "all-inclusive election", Global New Light Of Myanmar newspaper said.
"Necessary technological assistance will be provided for Myanmar to conduct the census-taking process," the state-run publication said. "Moreover, essential aid will be given for the election."
Myanmar's generals last month extended emergency rule for another six months to allow more time to put together census data for voter lists. Min Aung Hlaing has previously said an election would be held next year. The proposed election has been widely derided as a sham and the outcome is unlikely to be recognised by most Western countries, with dozens of parties disbanded for not registering to run, including the dominant National League for Democracy, whose government the military toppled. —REUTERS
