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September 01, 2004

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

With a view to further promoting friendly relations between their countries and facilitating exchange of visits by their citizens;

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

HAVE agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I

1. Citizens of the Republic of the Philippines who are holders of valid diplomatic or official passports, and citizens of the People's Republic of China who are holders of valid diplomatic or service passports, shall be exempted from visa requirements for entry into, exit from, or transit through the territory of the other Contracting Party for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.

2. Holders of the passports referred to in the preceding paragraph shall go through necessary procedures in accordance with the relevant regulations of the competent authorities of the other Contracting Parties if their stay in the territory of the other Contracting Party exceeds thirty (30) days.

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 travelers and shall observe the relevant formalities as stipulated by the law of the other Contracting Party.

ARTICLE III

Citizens of either Contracting Party who are in possession of valid diplomatic or official (service) passports and are assigned by the sending party to its diplomatic mission or consular office or an international organization in the territory of the other Contracting Party, and their spouse and minor children shall be required to obtain appropriate visa from the competent authorities of the receiving Contracting Party.

ARTICLE IV

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.

ARTICLE V

Officials at or above vice ministerial level of the central government and officers of or above the rank of major general of the armed forces of either Contracting Party shall inform the competent authorities of the receiving country through diplomatic channels at least three (3) working days before their travel to the latter's territory for official purposes.

ARTICLE VI

This Agreement does not restrict the right of either Contracting Party to prohibit persona non grata of the other Contracting Party from entering the territory of the receiving Contracting Party or terminate their stay in its territory without citing reasons therefore.

ARTICLE VII

Either Contracting Party may temporarily suspend this Agreement partially or wholly on grounds of public order, state security and public health. However, it shall notify the other

Contracting Party in advance of its intention to suspend the Agreement and to subsequently cancel the suspension through diplomatic channels at least seven (7) days prior to the implementation of the same.

ARTICLE VIII

1. The Contracting Parties shall exchange, through diplomatic channels, samples of their passport referred to in Article I of this Agreement within thirty (30) days from the date of signing of this Agreement.

2. During the period of validity of this Agreement, either Contracting Party shall inform the other Contracting Party, through diplomatic channels, of any change to the format of the passports referred to in Article I of this Agreement thirty (30) days before its introduction and furnish the latter with samples of new passports.

ARTICLE IX

This Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Contracting Parties arising from other international treaties, to which they are parties.

ARTICLE X

1. Any dispute between the Contracting Parties arising out of the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled through consultations or negotiations.

2. Any amendment or revision to the text of this Agreement shall be done by mutual consent of the Contracting Parties. Such amendment or revision shall enter into force in accordance with the provision on entry into force.

ARTICLE XI

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the later written notification by the Contracting Parties, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic requirements for its entry into force have been complied with.

2. 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 be effective on the ninetieth (90 ) day following the date of notification.

Done in duplicate in Beijing on this 1st day of September 2004 in the English and Chinese languages, both texts being equally authentic.