Chinese vloggers reduce filming in Dhaka after India calls for action
Law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh have increased monitoring of Chinese nationals accused of misrepresenting Dhaka neighbourhoods as New Delhi.
Chinese vloggers in Dhaka have decreased their filming activities following intensified monitoring by Bangladeshi law enforcement and intelligence agencies, according to the Times of India. The move comes after India expressed concern regarding the alleged use of Bangladeshi territory to create a false image of New Delhi.
The vloggers, estimated to be around 150 in number, were reportedly active in the Tekpara and Uttara neighbourhoods. They allegedly livestreamed footage of narrow streets and low-income areas on Chinese social media platforms, making disparaging remarks about residents while presenting the locations as parts of India.
Mohammad Khalid Mansur, officer-in-charge of Uttara West Police Station, said the decline in activity followed the intervention of authorities. Prothom Alo reported that more than 100 vloggers were making such videos daily and had reportedly paid Bangladeshi citizens to assist them.
On November 10, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi called for action against those peddling false narratives. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the efforts to present a distorted picture of a country as unfortunate.
Authorities have asked the Chinese nationals to provide their passports and visas to explain their activities while on tourist visas. Police have also instructed them to leave the country once their authorised stay expires.
Local residents, including Md Selim from Tekpara and rickshaw puller Imamul Islam, noted they have not seen the Chinese nationals in their areas for several days. It remains unclear if a formal investigation into possible visa violations has been started.