Around 150 Chinese nationals have allegedly been filming impoverished neighbourhoods in Dhaka and presenting the footage as scenes from India. Following New Delhi’s concerns, Bangladeshi police and intelligence agencies have intensified surveillance of the individuals, who have also been asked to produce their passports and visas.

Dhaka: Activities of Chinese vloggers accused of filming poverty-stricken areas of Bangladesh’s capital and falsely portraying them as Indian neighbourhoods have reportedly declined after local authorities stepped up monitoring.

India had raised concerns with Bangladesh over the alleged use of its territory to circulate misleading content aimed at damaging the country’s image. Following India’s intervention, Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies increased surveillance of the Chinese nationals, resulting in a reported reduction in their activities.

According to a report by Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo published on Thursday, Mohammed Khalid Mansur, officer-in-charge of Uttara West Police Station, confirmed that the activities of Chinese vloggers had decreased following intervention by law enforcement agencies. He added that police and intelligence officials were now keeping a close watch on the individuals and monitoring their movements.

Chinese Vloggers Allegedly Filmed Poor Neighbourhoods in Dhaka

Bangladeshi media reports suggest that approximately 150 Chinese nationals had been operating in the Tekpara and Uttara neighbourhoods of Dhaka. They allegedly filmed narrow streets, impoverished settlements and the everyday lives of local residents before livestreaming the footage on Chinese social media platforms.

The footage was reportedly presented as showing neighbourhoods in New Delhi, accompanied by derogatory comments about the living conditions and lifestyles of residents.

The vloggers allegedly filmed people’s homes and routine activities without their knowledge. In some instances, they reportedly entered private residences and recorded footage without residents understanding where it would be uploaded or how it would be portrayed.

The activities have raised suspicions of a possible organised disinformation campaign targeting India’s image.

Quoting the Prothom Alo report, the newspaper stated that the vloggers had previously operated without police supervision. More than 100 individuals were reportedly producing such videos daily, with some allegedly paying Bangladeshi residents to assist them.

India Raises Concerns Over Misleading Content

On 10 November, India’s Ministry of External Affairs called for appropriate action against Chinese vloggers allegedly spreading false narratives to tarnish India’s reputation.

Following the controversy, the Chinese nationals were reportedly asked to produce their passports and visas and explain why they were carrying out such activities despite entering Bangladesh on tourist visas.

According to the report, police also instructed them to return to China once their authorised period of stay in Bangladesh expires.

However, it remains unclear whether the authorities have formally launched an investigation into the matter or initiated any proceedings over alleged violations of visa conditions.

Local Residents Report Absence of Chinese Vloggers

Residents of Uttara and Tekpara have said they have not seen Chinese nationals filming in their neighbourhoods over the past few days.

Mohammed Salim, a resident of Tekpara, said he had not noticed any Chinese visitors recently.

“I have been at home for the past two days because of illness. I have not seen any Chinese nationals coming here,” he said.

Imam-ul Islam, a rickshaw driver, identified a bridge over a canal near Sector 12 in Uttara as a regular gathering point for the Chinese vloggers.

“They used to film us day and night. They filmed both us and our passengers. I have not seen them for quite some time,” he said.

The reported decline in their activities follows heightened scrutiny by Bangladeshi authorities after India expressed concern over the alleged use of Bangladeshi locations to create misleading content portraying Indian neighbourhoods.