In the areas inhabited by other ethnic groups, the Tang rulers governed through the traditional chiefs and headmen, who were granted civil and military titles but allowed to manage local affairs according to their own customs.

• 非汉民聚居区，则设置“羁縻府州”，即继续维护当地本民族首领的行政管理制度，冠以唐朝都护、都督、州剌史的名号，允其以旧俗治理其部众。