The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) will further optimize its visa policy for foreign residents traveling to the Chinese mainland starting from Wednesday, according to a notice released by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Macao SAR.
Foreign Macao residents who travel to the mainland for short-term tourism, trade, visiting relatives, visits and other activities may apply for multiple-entry visas with a validity period of five years and a stay period of no more than 180 days.
Foreign Macao residents applying for visas to China are exempt from submitting round-trip air tickets (train tickets and boat tickets) and hotel reservations, according to the notice.
In addition, they may enjoy the policy of "one-time collection and long-term exemption" for fingerprints. Applicants who have had their fingerprints recorded at Chinese overseas visa agencies will no longer need to have their fingerprints collected when applying for a visa.
Macao SAR to optimize visa policy for foreign residents traveling to mainland
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, his spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday.
The UN chief hopes that this agreement can put an end to the violence, destruction and suffering the people of both countries have been experiencing, the statement said.
Guterres urges the parties to fully respect and swiftly implement all of their commitments made under this agreement and undertake immediate steps towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
Office of the UN special coordinator for Lebanon and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon both stand ready to support the implementation of this agreement, in line with their respective mandates, the statement said.
The UN secretary-general's statement came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the nation's security cabinet approved a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. The ceasefire is expected to take effect on Wednesday morning.
Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, released a statement on the same day, welcoming the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon and expressing appreciation to all sides that work to bring about the ceasefire.
The deal means an end to a year-long hostility, which claimed thousands of lives, destroyed a great number of civilian facilities, and caused massive population displacement on both sides of the Blue Line, said the statement.
Yang urged all sides to maintain dialogue and promote a solution for reaching sustained peace and security in the Middle East. The UN General Assembly will continue supporting all the efforts for maintaining regional peace and stability, the statement said.
UN Secretary-General welcomes ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon
