An autonomous region is a territory that isn't governed by a democratic system or a monarchy. These regions operate independently from external authorities and are often home to smaller minority groups. Typically, they are also somewhat isolated from the main country. However, they often have limited resources due to specific laws regarding imports and similar regulations. There are at least five such regions in China. These areas are known as <span>federates, meaning they are mandated to manage their own internal matters while still being able to enter into other agreements.</span>