Chinese streamers mislabel Dhaka neighbourhoods as New Delhi in livestreams
Investigative reporting by Prothom Alo says Chinese nationals have been livestreaming from low-income areas of Dhaka, presenting the locations as parts of New Delhi and making disparaging remarks about residents, while police say they have reported the activity to senior authorities.
A Bangladesh daily reported that a group of about 150 Chinese nationals have been livestreaming from the Uttara Sector 12 and nearby Tekpara neighbourhoods in Dhaka for several months. The streamers walk through residential lanes and markets, using one phone to broadcast and another to follow on-screen information, and present the footage as if it were taken in New Delhi, India.
Translated commentary, verified by Bengali speakers, includes remarks describing the houses as "extremely dirty" and claiming that local tea is made from cow urine and river water. Some streamers also made derogatory comments about Bangladeshi men and their spending habits.
Not all content was negative; one streamer highlighted Chinese-made air-conditioners in the area and offered a prize for identifying their brands.
According to a local guide who works with the group, the streamers earn money by publishing videos on Chinese platforms such as WeChat and Douyin. The guide said she earns between Tk 700 and Tk 800 per day.
Residents have complained that the streamers sometimes enter private homes and bathrooms without permission to record. One resident said the activity has continued for months, while another reported that streamers apologized after objections but returned later.
Local police said they have observed the filming but could not determine its purpose due to language barriers. The officer-in-charge of Uttara West Police Station said he has informed senior authorities and that the matter is under investigation.