World · East Asia & Pacific · 11 hrs ago
Chinese streamers reportedly present Dhaka neighbourhoods as Delhi
About 150 Chinese nationals have reportedly livestreamed from Dhaka while telling viewers in China that they are showing Delhi.
The streams were filmed in Tekpara and Uttara, low-income neighbourhoods in Bangladesh’s capital.
Bangladeshi journalists found that some streamers used two phones, and one said the broadcasts were part of product promotion.
Translated comments reportedly misrepresented Dhaka as Delhi and included insulting claims about residents and their homes.
Residents say streamers film without permission, sometimes entering homes and filming near bathrooms.
The activity has prompted concern about misleading content and privacy, while local police say language barriers have hindered action.
Police were aware of the filming, but the sources do not say what steps they will take next.
About 150 Chinese nationals have livestreamed from low-income neighbourhoods in Dhaka while presenting the area to Chinese viewers as Delhi.
The streams show places including Tekpara and Sector 12 in Uttara, with some creators making derogatory claims about residents and local conditions.
Residents say the streamers enter homes and film without permission, prompting anger over privacy.
One streamer told journalists the broadcasts were part of product promotion activities, while the wider purpose was not established.
Police were aware of the filming, but an Uttara police official said language barriers had hindered efforts to pursue the matter.
- Who
- About 150 Chinese nationals livestreaming from Dhaka, and residents of the neighbourhoods they film.
- What
- The streamers present footage of Dhaka as scenes from Delhi and make claims about local living conditions.
- When
- The activity has continued for several months. Bangladeshi journalists visited the area on October 27 and November 3.
- Where
- Tekpara and Sector 12 in Uttara, north of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Why
- One Chinese streamer described the broadcasts as part of product promotion activities. The broader purpose is not stated.
Dhaka residents
Chinese streamers
Privacy
Dhaka residents
Residents say streamers enter homes unannounced and sometimes film into bathrooms.
Chinese streamers
A streamer said the broadcasts were part of product promotion activities; no response to the privacy complaints is reported.
Portrayal of the area
Dhaka residents
Residents object to being filmed, while reports describe anger over the activity and its portrayal of their neighbourhoods.
Chinese streamers
Some creators present the neighbourhoods as Delhi and make disparaging claims about residents and local conditions.
Bangladeshi journalists visited the area and approached vloggers believed to be Chinese nationals.
The journalists returned to the area and approached vloggers.
Times of India and Hindustan Times published reports on the livestreams and the investigation by Prothom Alo.
- Estimated number of streamers
- Over 150 Chinese nationals
- Filming locations
- Tekpara and Sector 12, Uttara, Dhaka
- Guide's daily pay
- Tk 700 to Tk 800
- Platforms named
- WeChat and Douyin
- Journalist visits
- October 27 and November 3
- Police station
- Uttara West Police Station
2 sources
What people are saying
part of product promotion activities
This is Delhi. Their homes are extremely dirty... and the law-and-order situation is poor.
cow urine tea
officers were aware of the filming but attempts to pursue the matter have been hindered due to language barriers.