MI5 has for the first time published an open “espionage alert” accusing the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), also known as the China Academy of General Technology, of acting in the interests of China’s Ministry of State Security.
According to MI5, the institute has “very strong ties” to China’s civilian intelligence service, and its primary purpose is to fund academic research that directly improves the technical capabilities of Chinese intelligence. The alert says more than 100 academics linked to British universities and research organisations have contributed to projects funded through CGTRI. In some cases, the service says, researchers may not have known who was ultimately behind the funding.
Topics that MI5 says the institute funded include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications systems and steganography — the concealment of messages inside ordinary files or objects. “This activity supports Ministry of State Security espionage, which poses a threat to UK national security,” the alert says.
MI5 has urged British universities to immediately review any ongoing or planned collaboration with CGTRI and to check the ultimate source of funding in any research partnership with Chinese organisations. The service also pointed to the National Security Act 2023: after the alert was published, continuing work ultimately paid for by the institute could lead to criminal liability. Institutions and researchers have been advised to seek independent legal advice.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis has written to the heads of British universities calling on them to end ties that could further benefit Chinese intelligence services. He described the alert as exposing attempts by Chinese intelligence to covertly exploit the expertise of British academics.
