The National Assembly of São Tomé and Príncipe has unanimously approved a reciprocal agreement between São Tomé and Príncipe and China to exempt some visitors from the requirement to have a visa, Angop reports.

The Angolan news agency quotes José Diogo, the president of the assembly, as saying the agreement will allow Chinese holding diplomatic passports or performing special services to visit São Tomé and Príncipe without visas, and São Tomé and Príncipe citizens holding diplomatic passports or performing special services to visit China without visas.

Mr Diogo said the agreement could facilitate co-operation between China and São Tomé and Príncipe.

São Tomé and Príncipe already allows ordinary Chinese to visit for 15 days without obtaining a visa in advance, Angop says.