BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Beijing reported 501 new HIV/AIDS cases in the first five months this year, an increase of 90 cases from the same period last year, the capital's disease control and prevention center said Thursday.

    Among the new cases, 221 were male homosexuals, who accounted for 44 percent of the total, said Deng Ying, director of the Beijing Disease Control and Prevention Center.

    Deng said last year, male homosexuals accounted for 29 percent of the city's new HIV/AIDS cases.

    So far, Beijing has reported 6,383 HIV/AIDS cases, including 1,343 locals, 4,722 from other domestic provinces and 247 foreigners.

    Xie Hui, a Beijing Health Bureau official, said the city would strengthen intervention aimed at HIV transmission via sex among high-risk groups.

    All 18 districts and counties would establish intervention teams consisting of health staff, police and volunteers, Xie said. The teams would go to hotels and amusement venues to spread AIDS prevention knowledge and distribute condoms at lease once a month.

    Xie did not give more details about the plan.

    China had reported more than registered 290,000 HIV/AIDS cases by May this year, including more than 90,000 AIDS patients. Experts estimate there are about 700,000 people infected with HIV in the country.