ARMS-SSP PCR was applied to survey the distribution of four AIDS associated HLA alleles, HLA-A*02, B*35, B*27, and B*57 in five Chinese nationalities (Yunnan han, yi, dai, Xinjiang uygur, and Guangxi zhuang). The results showed that HLA-A*02 allele occured very frequently at higher frequencies in han and zhuang than in the other three nationalities; B*35 did not show great variation in it's distribution in five population groups; B*27 had a distinctively high frequency in dai, but normal in han, yi and zhuang; B*57 allele did not vary greatly in these nationalities, too. A*02, B*27 and B*57 are three protective alleles. As a whole, their frequencies in the five nationalities were significantly different. This study could be a complement of the HLA and AIDS relative studies, and enhanced the understanding of the genetic background of some AIDS epidemic regions in China.