Alexander Concludes Visit to China

OTTAWA, March 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has concluded a successful visit to China during which he highlighted the many opportunities that exist in Canada for Chinese skilled workers, travellers, businesspeople and students.

Alexander visited Hong Kong and Shanghai to position Canada as a destination of choice for leisure travel, business and study. He highlighted the many pathways to Canada for aspiring permanent residents, reiterated the Government of Canada's commitment to doubling the intake of international students, and promoted the active recruitment model known as the "Expression of Interest" (EOI) system. The EOI will result in faster visa processing for newcomers who have the skills and attributes that Canadian employers need, in the event that Canadians cannot fill available jobs.

In Hong Kong, Alexander met with government officials for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as with business leaders—particularly those involved in research and development, venture capitalism and angel investing. The Minister reiterated Canada's intention in Economic Action Plan 2014 to replace the Immigrant Investor Program with new pilot programs.

While in Shanghai, Alexander met with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and spoke at numerous events related to international education to underscore China's position as one of the top source countries for students coming to Canada.

The Minister also attended the public funeral service of Bishop Joseph Fan Zhongliang, who devoted his life to his faith. Canada will continue to work with faith groups in China to advance freedom of religion and belief.

Quick facts

• Canada has signed an Approved Destination Status—or ADS—agreement with China. This allows Chinese travel agents to promote and arrange tour groups to Canada. More than 31,000 such applications were received in Beijing and Shanghai last year. Processing times averaged less than one week and the approval rate was 96 percent.
  
  
• As of December 2013, China was the second-highest source country for the Canadian Experience Class with 1,127 admissions, the third-highest source country for the Provincial Nominee Program with 4,047 admissions and the fourth-highest for Federal Skilled Workers with 3,754 admissions.
  
  
• More than 1.5 million Canadians can trace their ancestral roots to China.

Quote

"Canada is a welcoming place for Chinese visitors and students, and our permanent economic immigration programs offer many options for those looking to make Canada their home. This trip provided our government with the opportunity to highlight the various opportunities that exist within Canada and reinforce the strong ties between our two countries."

Chris Alexander, Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister

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Photos of Minister Alexander available at:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/index.asp

SOURCE: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Contacts

Alexis Pavlich
Minister's Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
[email protected]

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