CROATIA AND CHINA ABOLISH DIPLOMATIC VISA REQUIREMENTS

BEIJING, March 24 (Hina) - The Croatian-Chinese Agreement on the mutual abolishment of visa requirements for persons with diplomatic and official passports would be effective from April 19, the Chinese News Agency, Xinhua reported. The agreement, signed on January 1 when the Croatian Prime Minister, Nikica Valentic, visited China, provided diplomats and officials of both countries with a visa-free entry, exit and transit trough other countries on the condition that they did not stay there for more than 90 days. Under the agreement, the wives and children of diplomats were also included, Xinhua reported. In the event of person with a diplomatic or official passport wanting to stay in a country more than 30 days, he would have to report to the authorities and apply for a residence permit. (hina) rm sd 241515 MET mar 95