Representatives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR governments signed a deal in Hong Kong Tuesday on the simplification of the immigration clearance for residents of both regions, which will make their travels within the two cities more convenient.

According to the agreement, which will take effect on Dec. 10, holders of valid Hong Kong permanent identity cards or Hong Kong identity cards containing the '*', '***' or 'R' symbol can continue using their IDs to travel to Macao but they do not need to furnish arrival and departure cards.

A spokesman of the HKSAR government said the measure to exempt Hong Kong residents from furnishing arrival/departure cards would be implemented at all Macao immigration control points.

Hong Kong residents can also enroll to use Macao's automated passenger clearance system using their Hong Kong ID cards at kiosks in the Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.