Over 100 UK academics worked on research funded by Chinese spies
Key Points
- MI5 linked over 100 UK academics to Chinese spy-funded research
- CGTRI funds research that improves MSS espionage capability
- Projects covered AI, cybersecurity, covert comms and steganography
- Universities told to immediately review any CGTRI collaboration
- Continued work could breach the National Security Act 2023
MI5 has announced that more than 100 UK-linked academics worked on projects funded by China’s spy agency.
The Security Service issued an espionage alert on Wednesday (30 September) naming the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) as a conduit for Ministry of State Security (MSS) funding.
MI5 said CGTRI, sometimes translated as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT), has very strong ties to the MSS, China’s civilian intelligence and security service.
According to the agency, CGTRI’s primary purpose is funding academic research that directly improves the MSS’s technical capability for espionage.
UK academics contributed to CGTRI-funded projects covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications systems and steganography.
Steganography is the practice of hiding messages inside other files, such as images or audio.
MI5 said some academics may not have known that CGTRI funded the Chinese research projects they worked on.
“This activity supports MSS espionage, which poses a threat to UK national security,” MI5 said.
Universities told to review ties
MI5 told UK academic institutions to immediately review any ongoing or planned collaboration with CGTRI.
The agency said the review aims to ensure the MSS gains no further benefit from UK universities or research institutions.
It also advised academics to establish the ultimate funding source behind any research collaboration with Chinese institutions.
MI5 added that institutions scoping collaborations should use the government’s Research Collaboration Advice Team and Trusted Research guidance from the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA).
Criminal risk for researchers
MI5 said the alert places the link between CGTRI and the MSS in the public domain.
The agency told institutions, staff and researchers to make sure they understand the National Security Act 2023.
Section 3 of the Act makes it an offence to engage in conduct likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities.
The offence applies where the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, that their conduct is likely to provide that assistance.
Section 17 of the Act covers obtaining a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service.
MI5 said anyone continuing to conduct research ultimately funded by CGTRI after the alert should take independent legal advice.
