AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE MACAO SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON MUTUAL ABOLITION OF VISA REQUIREMENTS

The Government of the Republic of Latvia

and

the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, having been duly authorised to conclude this Agreement by the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China,

(hereinafter referred to as "Contracting Parties")

desiring to develop friendly relations and facilitate personnel exchange between the two Contracting Parties,

have agreed as follows:

Article 1

1. Nationals of the Republic of Latvia holding a valid national passport, diplomatic passport or service passport may enter repeatedly the territory of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and stay there for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days per period of any half-year, from the date of first entry, without being required to obtain a visa.

2. Residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region holding a valid Macao Special Administrative Region Passport of the People's Republic of China may enter repeatedly the territory of the Republic of Latvia and stay there for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days per period of any half-year, from the date of first entry, without being required to obtain a visa.

Article 2

Visa exemption does not grant the right to work. Persons referred to in Article 1 who enter the territory of the other Contracting Party with the aim of staying for a period exceeding ninety (90) days per period of any half-year, from the date of first entry, or of working, carrying out a profession or studying shall obtain permission beforehand.

Article 3

Persons of either Contracting Party referred to in Article 1 may enter and leave the territory of the other Contracting Party at each border crossing point open for international passenger traffic, provided that they meet the conditions required by laws and regulations in force in the other Contracting Party for the entry, movement or sojourn of foreigners.

Article 4

Persons of either Contracting Party referred to in Article 1 are obliged to abide by the laws and regulations in force in the other Contracting Party during their sojourn in its territory.

Article 5

1. Either Contracting Party reserves the right to refuse the entry or to terminate the period of stay in its territory of the persons of the other Contracting Party referred to in Article 1 for reasons of security, public health or public order.

2. Either Contracting Party shall readmit its own persons referred to in Article 1, without special formalities, into its territory.

Article 6

1. The Contracting Parties shall exchange specimens of their valid travel documents specified in Article 1 of this Agreement not later than thirty (30) days before the entry into force of this Agreement.

2. If either Contracting Party modifies its travel documents specified in Article 1 of this Agreement or introduces any new travel documents after entry into force of this Agreement, it shall provide the other Contracting Party with the specimens of such documents at least thirty (30) days before they are introduced.

Article 7

1. Either Contracting Party may temporarily suspend the application of this Agreement wholly or partially, except Paragraph 2 of Article 5, for reasons of security or public order.

2. Either Contracting Party shall immediately notify the other Contracting Party in writing of such suspension. Notification shall also be given in writing of subsequent resumption of application of the Agreement. The suspension and resumption shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the notification has been received by the other Contracting Party.

Article 8

This Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time. Either Contracting Party may terminate it at any time with prior notice of thirty (30) days in writing.

Article 9

This Agreement shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the date of the last notice in writing, notifying the other Contracting Party that the necessary domestic requirements for the entry into force of the Agreement have been fulfilled.

Done at Beijing on the 15th of April 2004 in two originals, each in the Latvian, Chinese and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation the English text shall prevail.