China bans AIDS novel

China has banned a novel about AIDS, on grounds that the topic is too sensitive, reports Kyodo news service. The novel, titled Dingzhuangmeng ("The Dream of Ding Village"), was written by prizewinning author Yan Lianke and deals with AIDS infections among peasants triggered by sales of their blood. It was published in Shanghai and had been sold in bookstores of major urban areas since earlier this year.