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.
中譯英翻譯練習（1）
新中國建立了民族區域自治制度。在少數民族聚居地區設立自治機關，由當地民族自己管理本民族的內部事務。目前，全國共有159個民族區域自治地方，其中自治區5個，自治州30個，自治縣（旗）124個。民族區域自治地方根據《中華人民共和國民族區域自治法》行使各種自治權利，有權依照當地民族的政治、經濟和文化的特點，制定自治條例和單行條例；在不違背憲法和法律的原則下，有權採取特殊政策和靈活措施；上級國家機關的決議、決定、命令、指示，如有不適合民族區域自治地方實際情況的，自治機關可以報請批准變通執行或停止執行；自治機關有自主地管理本地方財政、經濟、文化、教育事業的自治權利。在民族雜居散居地區，還建立了1500多個民族鄉，使雜居散居的少數民族能更好地享受平等的權利。