What? Chinese livestreamers intentionally showing dirty areas of Bangladesh as Delhi? MEA calls out

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed disapproval of reports that Chinese livestreamers were filming and presenting the poor living conditions of certain Dhaka neighbourhoods as scenes from New Delhi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that such deliberate misrepresentation could damage the credibility of those involved.

Reports emerged that Chinese nationals had been livestreaming from low-income areas of Bangladesh's capital city, while making disparaging comments about the local conditions and falsely identifying the locations as being in India. MEA responded to questions about the issue, urging authorities to take action against those responsible for spreading false information.

The controversy centers on footage allegedly recorded in parts of Dhaka, including Uttara's Sector 12 and Tekpara, and shared on Chinese social media platforms. One livestreamer, identified as Mianmian from China's Sichuan province, was seen broadcasting from a canal-side location in Uttara, making negative comments about the homes and surroundings.

Another streamer, Wang Wei, purportedly filmed tea stalls in Tekpara, alleging that the local residents' tea was made with cow urine. Reports suggest the activity may have persisted for several months, rather than being limited to a single livestream.

The true purpose behind the livestreams remains unclear, with some Chinese nationals suggesting they were for product promotion. However, the selection of impoverished Dhaka neighbourhoods for filming and the critical comments made about local conditions have raised concerns about the intentions behind the content.

There are also questions about whether the residents gave permission to be filmed, with reports alleging some vloggers entered private spaces without consent. While foreign interest in poverty across South Asia is not new, presenting Bangladesh footage as scenes from India raises additional concerns about the spread of misleading information and consent issues.