MI5 warns UK academics over Chinese tech institute

MI5 warned UK academics on Wednesday to review ties with a Chinese technology institute, saying the organisation funds research that could improve Beijing's espionage capabilities.

The UK's domestic intelligence service said it had detected “very strong ties” between the China General Technology Research Institute, known as CGTRI, and China's Ministry of State Security. It urged UK academic institutions to “immediately review” any ongoing or planned cooperation with the institute and seek legal advice.

MI5 said more than 100 UK-linked academics had contributed to projects funded by the Chinese ministry through CGTRI. It said the institute's “primary purpose” was to support research that improves Beijing's “technical capability for espionage”.

The agency said UK academics had contributed to projects on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications systems and steganography, which means hiding encrypted data inside apparently ordinary files or images.

MI5 said the activity presented a “threat to UK national security”. It said academics may have acted in good faith, but warned that further cooperation with the Chinese institution after the alert could breach the National Security Act.

In November, MI5 warned that China was using spies disguised as head-hunters to recruit parliamentarians. The Chinese embassy in London denied those allegations.