Immigrants, visitors and students from China to Canada hit a record high in 2012, Canada's Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced on 4 March. In a news release, Kenney said that China was the number one source country for immigration to Canada in 2012, with 32,990 permanent residents admitted. He said that Canada also issued a record 235,000 visitor visas to Chinese applicants in 2012, an increase of 158 per cent compared with 2004, and approved the record 25,245 study permits, an increase of 235 per cent since 2004. China was also the top source country for successful Canadian Experience Class applicants. Reports Xinhuanet on 5 March 2013.