Holders of China's Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR)passports have been granted visa-free access to Israel.

Macau Daily News said Friday that the initiative will promote cultural and commercial cooperation between Macau and Israel,quoting an official from the Israeli consulate in Hong Kong.

Thirty-odd countries have abolished visa requirements for Macaupassport holders,with Romania announcing the decision in January.The figure has been on the increase since Macau returned to the motherland at the end of 1999.

(eastday.com March 15, 2002)