The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) and the Government of the Republic of Angola recently signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption at the Macao SAR Government Headquarters. The document was signed by the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Wong Sio Chak, and the Consul-General of Angola in Macao, Eduardo Velasco Galiano, on behalf of the two sides.

Wong Sio Chak said that the agreement represents an important outcome of Macao’s international exchanges and co-operation and reflects the deepening of friendly relations between China and Angola. According to the official, the new measure represents a further step towards facilitating the movement of people and should promote exchanges between the peoples of both countries and closer cultural ties.

The Secretary added that the agreement could create new opportunities for co-operation in the fields of the economy, trade and investment, the conventions and exhibitions industry, infrastructure and economic transformation. He also highlighted that Macao, as a unique region of China where Portuguese is one of the official languages, benefits from the advantages offered by the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.

Once the agreement comes into effect, Macao residents holding a valid Macao SAR Passport or Macao SAR Travel Permit will be able to enter Angola without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. Holders of a valid Angolan passport will enjoy the same conditions when entering the Macao SAR. The date on which the agreement enters into force will be announced at a later date.

(Source: Portal do Governo da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau, 4 September)