Chinese Streamers Film Dhaka Slums, Pass Them Off As New Delhi

India's Ministry of External Affairs has strongly criticised the actions of various chinese streamers who allegedly recorded footage in low-income sectors of Dhaka and falsely presented the locations as New Delhi. During a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the controversy surrounding these online broadcasts, describing the attempt to portray a distorted visual picture of any country as unfortunate and noting that it undermines the credibility of the individuals involved.

The controversy emerged following an investigative report published by a Bangladeshi newspaper. The publication detailed how numerous foreign nationals had been spending hours recording narrow lanes, tin-roofed houses, modest dwellings, and roadside tea stalls in densely populated areas such as Sector 12 of Uttara and the Tekpara neighbourhood. Observers estimated that more than one hundred and fifty Chinese nationals may have been engaged in these recording activities, broadcasting the content onto platforms like WeChat and Douyin.

During these livestreams, the creators reportedly made derogatory remarks regarding living conditions, infrastructure, food hygiene, and law enforcement while claiming the visuals originated in the Indian capital. Specific individuals were identified in connection with the broadcasts, including a streamer known as Mianmian from Sichuan province and another named Wang Wei. Some of the generated content even featured provocative commentary regarding local food preparation methods.

Foreign vloggers falsely presented impoverished Dhaka neighbourhoods as New Delhi during online livestreams.

Local reports indicated that the filming operations continued for several months, often running from early morning until late at night with the assistance of local guides. Some observations suggested that Indian-branded merchandise was occasionally introduced into specific scenes to add perceived authenticity to the claims being made. While the primary motivation remains unverified, authorities have explored possibilities ranging from commercial engagement to coordinated circulation of misleading material. Law enforcement in Bangladesh has been informed of the incidents and initiated inquiries into the matter.

Why it matters

The dissemination of misleading visual content across cross-border social media platforms creates distorted public perceptions and exacerbates regional tensions. The official response from New Delhi highlights the diplomatic sensitivity surrounding online narratives and urges responsible oversight from the relevant authorities to prevent the spread of misinformation.