新中国建立了民族区域自治制度。在少数民族聚居地区设立自治机关，由当地民族自己管理本民族的内部事务。目前，全国共有159个民族区域自治地方，其中自治区5个，自治州30个，自治县(旗)124个。民族区域自治地方根据《中华人民共和国民族区域自治法》行使各种自治权利，有权依照当地民族的政治、经济和文化的特点，制定自治条例和单行条例;在不违背宪法和法律的原则下，有权采取特殊政策和灵活措施;上级国家机关的决议、决定、命令、指示，如有不适合民族区域自治地方实际情况的，自治机关可以报请批准变通执行或停止执行;自治机关有自主地管理本地方财政、经济、文化、教育事业的自治权利。在民族杂居散居地区，还建立了1500多个民族乡，使杂居散居的少数民族能更好地享受平等的权利。
New China brought about the system of regional autonomy for national minorities. Organs of self-government were set up in regions where people of national minorities live in compact communities， and the internal affairs of the national minorities were handled by themselves. At present， there are throughout the country 159 national autonomous areas， including five autonomous regions， 30 autonomous prefectures and 124 autonomous counties (or banners)。 National autonomous areas exercise all rights of self-government in accordance with the Law of the People‘s Republic of China on Regional National Autonomy and may work out autonomous rules and specific regulations according to local political， economic and cultural characteristics. Without violating the Constitution and the law， autonomous regions have the right to adopt special policies and flexible measures; autonomous organs can apply for permission to make alterations or desist from implementing resolutions， decisions， orders and instructions made by higher-level state organs if they are not in accordance with the situation in autonomous regions. Organs of self-government have the right to handle local financial， economic， cultural and educational affairs. In regions where people of a number of ethnic groups live together or in scattered communities， more than 1，500 national townships were established so as to enable national minorities to enjoy equal rights to the fullest.
（责任编辑:doublejp）
