Iris Zhao
Iris Zhao is a journalist with the ABC's Asia Pacific Newsroom.
Latest by Iris Zhao
Patricia says the cost of her student accommodation was 'insane'
By Iris Zhao and Natasya Salim
For those who choose to live in student housing, rents for a single room can often be more than the price of a whole apartment, with some international students saying the prices are "insane".
'You are a liar': Chinese wannabe working holiday-makers furious over suspension of visa applications
By Iris Zhao
Tens of thousands of young people in China reportedly see their working holiday visa applications expire as the Australian government quietly suspends issuing the visa for Chinese nationals.
Updated
Xuan bought a $6,000 apartment in an old Chinese city so she could 'lie flat' and escape the rat race
By Iris Zhao and Ilham Isaak
As young people in China feel the squeeze of cost of living and social pressures, many are looking to the country's forgotten older cities where they can buy a home for the price of rent in a megacity and pursue the kind of life they want, not one forced upon them.
Updated
Actress drops 50kgs for Chinese film hit You Only Live Once
By Iris Zhao and Ilham Issak
The weight-loss journey of a movie star, who dropped an astonishing 50 kilograms in a year, captivates people across China.
Updated
'They have broken their promise': International students left confused and angry by changes to eligibility of graduate work visa
By Iris Zhao
International students believe the new migration strategy, which slashes the maximum eligible age for a temporary graduate work visa from 50 to 35, is unfair for older students and call on the Australian government to consider their situation.
'How we discovered the hidden gem': The super app that influences Chinese-speaking diaspora
By Iris Zhao
From tourism hotspots to where to find the best coffee shops and fishing spots, Red is influencing opinions of Chinese diasporas in Australia and around the world.
What brings happiness in old age? Researchers say it could be living with your daughter
Despite cultural preference for sons in some Asian societies, researchers from Monash University Malaysia found that living with daughters is positively associated with happiness in old age.
'Good news for many Chinese Australians': High hopes for Albanese's China visit
By Iris Zhao
Chinese Australians and Australian expats in China are upbeat that the long-awaited PM visit may help reverse the "headwind" the relationship has been facing.
Even golden retrievers are caught up in China's crackdown on dogs after girl mauled by Rottweiler
By Iris Zhao
The mauling of a two-year-old by a roaming Rottweiler in China has led to a crackdown by the authorities and an increase in anti-dog sentiment, including a report of a suspected mass poisoning.
K-pop star faces social media onslaught from Chinese fans over performance venue
By Iris Zhao
International K-pop star Lisa Manobal has come under fire from some Chinese fans on social media after it was announced the Blackpink singer would dance at the Crazy Horse cabaret club in Paris.
Updated
Evania cannot afford mental health care as she is paying $470 a week for a room with 'big rats' and 'cockroaches'
By Iris Zhao and Natasya Salim
The rising costs of living are increasing pressure on some international students to make difficult choices, such as paying for rent instead of mental health appointments.
Gathered around a prop coffin, Cambodian Australians mourn 'death of democracy' in their home country
By Erin Handley and Iris Zhao
Cambodian Australians are facing down threats to their safety as they call on the Australian government not to recognise the "sham" Cambodian election to be held this weekend.
Updated
'Magic': Tutorials show people in China how to evade censors and connect to ChatGPT
By Iris Zhao with wires
Internet users are bypassing China's great firewall to connect with a US-made chatbot, as Beijing releases rules paving the way for the country's generative AI boom.
A chef who posted pictures of edible mushrooms on social media warns buyers to beware
By Iris Zhao
As the peak season for spotting mushrooms in the wild soon comes to an end, there are warnings against buying mushrooms advertised and sold online.
'It's not Disneyland': Is Chinatown worth reviving? Or is it just a facade for tourists?
By Jason Fang & Dong Xing with photography by Danielle Bonica & Ilham Issak
As Chinatown struggles to return to its pre-COVID golden age, younger generations have been busy creating cultural hubs of their own.
Updated
International students raise alarm about new AI detection tools being used by Australian universities
By Iris Zhao and Sally Brooks
International students say tools to detect AI-generated text are inaccurate, as a US study suggests the detectors are biased against people writing in English as a second language.
Updated
'They all thought I was joking': Chinese travellers surprised at Australian tourist visa refusals
By Iris Zhao
Chinese holiday-makers say they want to come to Australia, but some travellers are having their tourist visa applications rejected.
Updated
Fallout at one of Australia's largest apartment buildings continues
By Iris Zhao and Natasya Salim
Chinese investors call for mandatory translation of property regulations and proxy vote forms, amid ongoing disputes at the Aurora apartment complex.
Updated
Calls for imported food products to be tested for chemical, after Taiwan recalls noodles by brand sold in Australia
By Iris Zhao
A move to recall an instant-noodle product in Taiwan has sparked concerns in Australia, with some calling for imported foods to be tested for the same chemical that sparked the scare overseas.
Updated
Xi Jinping tears up China's modern political rule book, securing third term as president
By Iris Zhao with wires
Xi Jinping officially kicks off his norm-busting third term as China's president, solidifying his position as one of the communist nation's most powerful leaders in generations.
Updated
Experts fear China returning to business as usual could make Australia's inflation problems worse
By Iris Zhao
China's rebounding economy is set to have ramifications for Australia — both good and bad — and could exacerbate our cost-of-living issues.
An ex-UNSW student was arrested for protesting in China last year. She hasn't been heard from since
By Iris Zhao
Concern grows for a former Sydney international student, who is among a number of young women arrested and charged after last November's zero-COVID protests.