China to use e-passport for Macao residents from Sept.
BEIJING: China will start using e-passport and e-TP (Travel Permits) for residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) from September 1, 2009, according to a bulletin issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry here on Wednesday.
Both the e-passport and e-TP for the Macao SAR will be travel documents issued by the Chinese government. The holder of the two documents will be permitted to travel to all countries and regions in the world, the bulletin says.
The ministry requests the authorities of all countries and regions to render convenience and necessary assistance to travelers holding the e-passport, it says.
In line with the provisions of Article 139 of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, the Chinese government has authorized the Macao SAR government to issue e-passport and e-TP according to relevant laws.
According to the bulletin, the Chinese Foreign Ministry already began to provide samples of the Macao SAR e-passport and e-TP and their e-specifications to all countries of the world through diplomatic channels.
The Foreign Ministry hopes that all countries and regions will give positive consideration to offering visa-exempt treatment to Macao SAR passport holders, the bulletin says.
