On August 8, 1952, the 18th session of the Central People's Government Committee of the People's Republic of China approved the "Programme for the Implementation of National Regional Self-Government" and stipulated that the national self-government organs are local authorities at a level under the unified leadership of the Central People's Government and are led by the people's governments at a higher level. The national self-government regions formulate separate regulations in accordance with the authority of the autonomous regions. The autonomous regions are free to develop local economic undertakings under the national unified economic system and under the national unified financial system, in accordance with the financial authority, manage the finances of the autonomous regions, and take the necessary and appropriate measures to develop national culture, education, arts and health.