The personal information of two people living with AIDS was publicly posted on a street information bulletin board after they applied to rent a government sponsored apartment in Kunming, Yunnan Province, where a government official said it was strongly requested by local residents, the China National Radio reported on Sunday.

The case was first exposed by an Internet user under the name "Comrade Leyan" on Sina Weibo. The user showed a photo of the list on which the name, the address, the marital status and the health history together with other personal information was revealed.

The user said he was shocked to find two of the applicants on the list were noted to be AIDS patients when he was about to apply for the apartment himself on Longxiang street.

Applicants with hearing disabilities and mental disorders were also noted on the list.

An official surnamed Xu said the revelation was "per strong requests from local residents" and that "applicants were notified" and "had made no objection to the revelation since November 29, the day the list was posted."

The postings and the photos have triggered heated discussion online as many questioned the legitimacy of the government's behavior.

Global Times