A bilateral agreement on non-visa travel between Russia and Macau came into effect on Sunday, September 30, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

      The agreement, which was signed on June, is expected to boost Russia’s tourist exchange with Macau - the exotic special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, which is also named Asian Las Vegas.

      Macau, a former Portuguese colony, became a special administrative region of China in 1999 and has gradually turned into a big gambling capital with an annual turnover five times bigger than the casinos in Las Vegas. Macau maintains its own legal system, police force, monetary system, customs policy, and immigration policy, and China is only responsible for the territory's defense and foreign affairs.

      Russians are now allowed to enter Macau for a period of up to 30 days without a visa. The same conditions concern Macau passport holders travelling to Russia.

      A similar visa-free regime already exists between Russia and Hong Kong - another special administrative region of China.