MI5 issues first-ever public espionage alert over China-funded academic research

MI5 has issued an unprecedented “Espionage Alert” warning that more than 100 UK-based academics have contributed to research projects funded by a Chinese organisation with “very strong ties” to Beijing’s state security service, Reuters reported. It is the first time MI5 has independently published an alert publicly.

The alert names the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), sometimes translated as the China Academy of General Technology. MI5 said: “MI5 has identified that the primary purpose of CGTRI is to fund academic research that directly improves MSS technical capability for espionage,” referring to China’s Ministry of State Security. The funded projects covered artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications systems and steganography, The Times reported.

MI5 said many academics and institutions would have engaged “in good faith” without knowing of the organisation’s links to the MSS — but those who continue now risk prosecution under the National Security Act 2023, The Sun reported.

Security minister Dan Jarvis said he had written to all university vice-chancellors to ensure staff ended all arrangements with the organisation. “This alert exposes attempts by Chinese intelligence to covertly benefit from the expertise and research of our academics,” he said.

China’s London embassy called the warning “entirely fabricated and constitutes malicious slander”.