Parliament
24 July 2006
A second significant Chinese delegation in less than a month will be
visiting the Western Cape on 26 July 2006 to explore closer inter-legislature
relations and co-operation. At the beginning of this month a very senior
delegation of eleven representatives from the Zhejiang province visited the
Western Cape Provincial Parliament, by invitation of Speaker Shaun
Byneveldt.
The high level delegation from the Hebei provincial parliament (The People's
Congress of Hebei Province) visits the Cape Town legislature on a study tour to
deepen and accelerate financial reform in their province. The Hebei province
consists of the areas surrounding the Chinese capital Beijing, and Tianjin in
North China. This province has taken the lead in China in reforming traditional
budget management and financial administration.
Mr Wang Jialin heads the Hebei Provincial Budget Legislation and Supervision
delegation of six. He is at the level of a vice minister, the vice chairman of
the standing committee responsible for the budget, has six years experience
heading the provincial finance department, and presided over budgetary reform
that sparked a nationwide change.
Western Cape Provincial Speaker Mr Shaun Byneveldt says: "The delegation
wants to deepen and accelerate the said reform, establish adequate financial
legislation, look at the division of powers between the legislature and the
executive as well as a needed review and supervision system adaptable to the
market economy. To this end the delegation wants to study the best practices of
the South African financial environment and oversight system."
Speaker Byneveldt added: "China is a growing giant in world economics and
development. South Africa is strengthening its relations with this force in
line with presidential initiatives." He further stated that both provinces can
benefit from closer co-operation, and the Western Cape can also learn more
about transformation from China's 5 000 year history.
The Western Cape Provincial Legislature made history last month when a
standing Budget Committee was established to interrogate the budget and report
to Parliament. Speaker Byneveldt says: "The Budget Committee is to review and
assess the overall provincial spending quarterly to ensure timely expenditure,
limited roll-overs, wastage management, spending in line with policies and
public participation in this open process."
A former multi-party Ad Hoc Budget Committee, under the leadership of deputy
speaker Mr Yousuf Gabru, has previously assisted the legislature with its roles
of policy revision, oversight and to ensure implementation.
Further media enquiries:
Werner Schwella
Media Officer in the Office of the Speaker
Cell: 083 591 6691
Issued by: Office of the Speaker, Western Cape Parliament
24 July 2006
