South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region reported 3,377 new HIV carriers in 2004, an increase of 245 from 2003 and four times as many than in 2000, according to the local AIDS control authority.

The additional HIV cases helped bring the region's total to 11,979 by February this year, ranking third in China, behind Yunnan and Henan provinces. The total included 614 AIDS patients, the authority added.

Young people account for the majority of the HIV cases, the regional AIDS control authority said.

According to an assessment report on China's AIDS prevention and control, which was released by the Ministry of Health early last year, HIV cases had been reported in all the Chinese mainland's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

There are 840,000 HIV carriers on the mainland, of whom 80,000 suffer AIDS, said the Ministry of Health.