ZHENGZHOU - More than 200 AIDS patients in Central China's Henan province gathered Monday in front of the provincial government office, requesting higher financial aid from the government.

The petitioners requested the government expand the free-drug program for AIDS patients, cancel restrictions on designated hospitals, compensate economic losses due to infection through blood transfusions, and offer help for their children's tuition.

The petitioners, from all across the province, asked to enter the grounds of the government office but were blocked by armed police. They dispersed in the afternoon after communication with government officials.