Chinese nationals have reportedly been conducting livestreams for several months from impoverished localities in Dhaka, portraying the areas as parts of New Delhi while making derogatory observations about the living conditions.
An investigation by Bangladesh's leading newspaper, Prothom Alo, has brought the activity into focus, triggering concerns in India over a possible effort to cultivate an unfavourable image of the country among Chinese audiences.
The newspaper's report identified Tekpara and Sector 12 in Uttara, both in the Bangladeshi capital, as locations where Chinese nationals have been filming extensively. Residents claimed that over 150 Chinese nationals may be involved. However, Prothom Alo clarified that it was unable to independently verify the precise number.
The broadcasts are reportedly carried out throughout the day on Chinese social media platforms, including WeChat and Douyin. A key concern is that the streamers are allegedly passing off footage recorded in Dhaka as scenes from New Delhi, misleading viewers about the actual locations.
Prothom Alo stated that Google Translate was used to interpret the Chinese-language remarks, with the translations subsequently cross-checked by four Bangladeshis proficient in the language.
In one such instance, a Chinese woman, identified as Mianmian and claiming to be from Sichuan province, was seen livestreaming near a canal in Uttara's Sector 12 on November 1. While giving viewers a glimpse of the neighbourhood, she falsely identified the location as New Delhi and remarked: “This is New Delhi. Their homes are extremely dirty. There isn’t even a fan inside the tin-roofed houses. This place is quite underdeveloped, dirty and unhygienic, and the law-and-order situation is poor."
In another instance, a streamer identified as Wang Wei was reportedly spotted recording footage at tea stalls in Tekpara. While showing locals drinking tea, he allegedly told his audience that the beverage was prepared using “cow urine" and polluted river water.
The repeated portrayal of these Bangladeshi neighbourhoods as Indian localities, accompanied by disparaging commentary, has raised concerns that the broadcasts could contribute to spreading misleading narratives and deepening negative perceptions of India among Chinese viewers.
