BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The regional autonomy for ethnic minorities is a basic political system of China, and the Chinese government will continue to abide by this system, said Chinese President Hu Jintao.

    Hu was answering questions from reporters from 16 Japanese media organizations on Sunday. He said the system of regional autonomy for ethnic minorities was prescribed clearly in China's Constitution.

    Hu also outlined the basic content of China's ethnic minorities policy, saying all the ethnic groups in China were equal, and the state ensured the legitimate rights and interests of all the ethnic minorities, maintained and developed a socialist ethnic relationship featured equality, unity, mutual assistance and harmony.

    The facts since the establishment of New China over 50 years ago have proved that, the policy of regional autonomy for ethnic minorities and China's ethnic policies accorded with China's reality, Hu said.

    He pledged that China would continue to implement and improve this basic political system and the effective ethnic policies, and work for the happiness of the people of all ethnic groups.

    Hu will pay a state visit to Japan from May 6 to 10, which would be the first by a Chinese president to Japan over the past decade and also his first foreign visit after he was re-elected Chinese president.