AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF
BRAZIL AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON
MUTUAL VISA EXEMPTION FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC AND
SERVICE (OFFICIAL) PASSPORTS

The Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil

and

The Government of the People's Republic of China
(hereinafter referred to as "the Contracting Parties"),

With a view to further promoting the friendly relations between Brazil and China and facilitating exchange of visits between citizens of the two countries,

Having conducted consultations on mutual exemption of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service (official) passports on the basis of equality and reciprocity,

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I

1. Citizens of either Contracting Party holding valid diplomatic or service (official) passports limited exclusively to temporary visitors for no more than thirty (30) days, and to members of diplomatic and consular missions who enter into, exit from or transit through the territory of the other Contracting Party shall be exempted from visa requirements

2. Citizens of either Contracting Party referred to in the preceding paragraph, who intend to stay longer than thirty (30) days in the territory of the other Contracting Party, shall go through necessary application procedures with the competent authorities of the other Party through diplomatic channels.

3. The provisions of this article also apply to the family members of the above mentioned citizens, namely spouse and underage children who accompany them during their stay in the host country and hold valid diplomatic or service (official) passports or are included in such passports as dependants.

ARTICLE II

Citizens of either Contracting Party referred to in Article I of this Agreement shall enter into, exit from or transit through the territory of the other Contracting Party through ports open to international travellers and shall observe the relevant formalities as stipulated by the law of the other Contracting Party.

ARTICLE III

1. Citizens of either Contracting Party shall abide by the laws and regulations in force in the territory of the other Contracting Party during their stay in the latter's territory.

2. The Contracting Parties shall inform each other of any changes in their respective laws and regulations concerning the entry, exit, transit and stay of foreigners.

ARTICLE IV

Either Contracting Party shall notify in advance the competent authorities of the other Contracting Party. through diplomatic channels, the travel to the latter's territory by its Central government officials at or above the level of Vice Minister and military officers of its armed forces at or above the rank of Major General.

ARTICLE V

This Agreement shall not exclude the right of either Contracting Party to refuse the entry into its territory by persona non grata of the other Contracting Party or shorten the stay of such person in its territory.

ARTICLE VI

Either Contracting Party may temporary suspend this Agreement partially or wholly on grounds of State security, public order. public health or other special reasons. However, it shall notify the other Contracting Party, through diplomatic channels and within twenty-four (24) hours, its decision to suspend or resume the implementation of the Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

1. The Contracting Parties shall exchange, through diplomatic channels, specimens of their valid diplomatic and service (official) passports, referred to in this Agreement, within thirty (30) days from the date of the signing of this Agreement.

2. The Contracting Parties shall inform each other, through diplomatic channels, of any change in the above-mentioned diplomatic and service (official) passports or introduction of new travel documents and furnish specimens of the new passports not latter than thirty (30) days prior to their application.

ARTICLE VIII

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth (30th) day after both Contracting Parties' completion of their respective domestic legal procedures necessary for the Agreement to take effect and their mutual notification of the completion by diplomatic notes. The Agreement shall remain in force for an indefinite period of time.

2. This Agreement may be supplemented or amended by the two Contracting Parties by means of exchange of notes subject to their prior mutual consent through consultation.

ARTICLE IX

If either Contracting Party wishes to terminate this Agreement, it shall notify the other Contracting Party in writing through diplomatic channels. And this Agreement shall cease to he effective on the ninetieth (90th) day following the date of notification.

ARTICLE X

The exchange of notes between the Ministry of External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China on mutual grant of multiple entry visas to each other's reside it personnel and their family members holding diplomatic or service (official) passports, which became effective as from 6 July 1988, and the exchange of notes between the Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil in China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China concerning mutual grant of multiple entry visas to each other's resident personnel holding diplomatic or service (official) passports and their accompanying spouses and children under the age of eighteen (18) years during their term of office, which became effective as from 16 September 2000, shall cease to be effective as of the date of entry into force of this Agreement.

Done in duplicate on this 24th day of May 2004 in Beijing in the Portuguese, Chinese and English languages, the three texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.