The Ministry of Science and Technology website has been flooded with a series of online appeals for advice, some of which border on the impossible, the Xinhua news agency reported.
"After years of private research, I have finally succeeded in producing nuclear reactors for household use. Where can I apply for patent?" read one inquiry posted last week.
"By the way, I have been contacted several times by terrorists wanting to buy the reactors. What should I do?" it continued.
The ministry's straight-faced reply was to suggest the writer consult the China Patent Information Centre.
According to Xinhua, a total of 30 prank questions had been posted on the website by the time the ministry was alerted to the fact that they were jokes and removed them all.
A statement on the ministry's website said the pranks had been disruptive to the officials' work, urging that they stop.
"People criticise the government when it ignores them, and then laugh at it when it takes everything seriously. It does not make sense," said one Internet user's posting on the ministry's website.
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