From 1981 to 1990, the so-called “artificial inducement of the legume nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the non-legumes” spread from Nanjing to the capital Beijing, and then to many other parts of China, causing lots of repercussions. Wang Manxin, its inventor, was a science fan, who made his living by serving in the military, farming, and working in factories after finishing primary school. Wang declared that he would win the Nobel Prize or, at the very least, revolutionize the nitrogen fertilizer industry worldwide. Not surprisingly, Wang’s invention was repeatedly denied by peer reviews. The invention, however, with the support of mass media, government leaders, and the power of an atypical scientific group, was so influential that it was a headline in China’s Daily and field promotions were taken directly throughout many locations in China.

 The whole process of the “Wang Manxin Affair” is recounted, and the reasons for the affair are analyzed in general. Wang Manxin was accepted by the “Chinese Journal of Nature”  to its scientific group, which converted the matter into a scientific controversy. Wang’s invention spread rapidly thanks to government financing from Jiangsu Province and the State Planning Commission , effectively drowning out peer reviews organized by the State Science and Technology Commission. The mass media with the principle of “seeing is believing” largely broadened the extent of the affair. Furthermore, certain official media outlets served as megaphones for government officials and Wang Manxin. On the other hand, agriculturists, microbiologists, and some science and technology officials never stopped fighting for the rights of their scientific community.

The Wang Manxin Affair occurred during China’s early period of reform and opening-up phase. It illustrates the inconsistencies and disagreements among various groups over who owns the decision-making authority to science. Furthermore, it demonstrates a top-down, open, and free mentality throughout this period.