After five years of brutal civil war, Myanmar’s ruling military is holding an election that many say is a sham.

But it has a major backer: China. So why is Beijing suddenly interested in democracy in this conflict-stricken country?

Venetia Rainey and Arthur Scott-Geddes speak to the Telegraph’s Global Health Security correspondent Sarah Newey about her recent trip to Yangon and Joe Freeman, researcher for Amnesty International.

Read Sarah's dispatch: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/why-china-is-forcing-myanmars-junta-to-stage-an-election/

Watch Sarah talking about scam centres in Laos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nRBG037FT0

Producer: Sophie O'Sullivan

Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

Studio Operator: Meghan Searle

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Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk

@venetiarainey

@ascottgeddes

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