Guns N' Roses new album 'Chinese Democracy' has been banned in China because of its title, according to reports.

An article in the Global Times, titled 'American band releases album venomously attacking China', said Chinese Internet users believe the LP "turns its spear point on China”.

It also alleges the album formed part of a plot by the West to "gra sp and control the world using democracy as a pawn."

Various reports claim that the country's biggest music importer, China National Publications Import and Export Group, has told stores not to stock the album.

A number of websites, including the album's official website, chinesedemocracy.com, have also apparently been blocked as part of an attempt to prevent fans from accessing information about the release.

At present, the album, which was released in the US yesterday and the UK today, is only available to the Chinese via the band's MySpace page.

But China's Ministry of Culture told the Telegraph that the reports were “the first time we've heard about it,” adding: "[It] might just be a rumour".

(by Jason Gregory)