Britain’s domestic intelligence service MI5 has issued an unusually direct public warning to universities and academics, alleging that a Chinese research organisation has been used to obtain sensitive British research for China’s intelligence services.
MI5 has urged researchers and academic institutions to sever ties with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), also known as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT), which it has identified as having strong links to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS).
According to MI5, CGTRI has funded more than 100 academics linked to British universities and obtained access to research in sensitive technological fields. The agency alleges that some of the information was subsequently passed to Chinese intelligence.
The warning comes amid growing scrutiny in Britain of Chinese state-linked efforts to obtain advanced technology and research. MI5 has previously warned about attempts by Chinese intelligence services to cultivate relationships with individuals who have access to sensitive information.
MI5 alleges research was used to support Chinese intelligence
MI5 says CGTRI is a front organisation for China’s MSS and has described the body as a significant national security threat.
The areas of research reportedly targeted include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography, a technique used to conceal information within digital files or images. MI5 alleges that the organisation’s funding was intended to support research that could enhance the technical capabilities of Chinese intelligence.
The agency has also reportedly identified access to advanced British research involving the collection and analysis of social-media data.
MI5’s assessment is that many British academics and institutions worked with CGTRI in good faith because the organisation’s alleged links to the MSS were not publicly known. The agency is now advising universities to review existing and planned cooperation with the organisation and to establish the ultimate source of funding in research partnerships involving Chinese institutions.
Possible criminal consequences
The warning also highlights potential criminal consequences under Britain’s National Security Act 2023.
MI5 has advised universities and researchers to consider provisions concerning assistance to foreign intelligence services and the receipt of material benefits from such services. The agency said the warning was developed with input from prosecutors.
Rather than immediately pursuing individual cases, MI5 has opted for a public warning aimed at preventing further cooperation and reducing the risk of sensitive research being transferred to Chinese intelligence, according to reporting by The Guardian.
The move follows broader British efforts to counter what MI5 describes as an expanding state-threat environment. In June, MI5 and its Five Eyes partners warned that Chinese military intelligence services were using professional networking and online recruitment platforms to target people with access to classified or privileged information, including academics and researchers.
Government urges universities to cut ties
Britain’s Security Minister Dan Jarvis has called on universities to end their relationships with CGTRI, saying the warning demonstrated attempts by Chinese intelligence operatives to secretly exploit British academic expertise and research.
“I have written to all university vice-chancellors to ensure they support their staff in ending all agreements with this company,” Jarvis said, according to the reported statement.
The government says the objective is to prevent further benefits reaching Chinese intelligence services while ensuring compliance with national security legislation.
Universities UK, which represents 142 higher-education institutions, said universities take their responsibilities for research security seriously while stressing the importance of international academic cooperation.
Vivienne Stern, its chief executive, said the sector had invested significantly in strengthening security procedures while continuing international collaboration that remains important to advanced research.
Libby Hackett, chief executive of the Russell Group, said its universities also take national security responsibilities seriously and would continue working with the government and security services to respond to emerging threats.
China rejects espionage allegations
The allegations have been disputed by the Chinese side. The Chinese embassy in London has rejected the claims as baseless and defended academic cooperation with British institutions as lawful and mutually beneficial.
The case highlights the increasingly difficult balance facing British universities between maintaining international research partnerships and protecting sensitive technologies that could have national-security or dual-use applications.
