MI5 has issued a rare public espionage warning, stating that China's intelligence service has used a front company to fund British universities and acquire crucial technology research. The domestic security service has advised researchers and academics to stop working with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), also known as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT), which MI5 believes poses a "significant threat."
The security service has identified CGTRI as a front for the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS), China's civilian intelligence and security service. MI5 states that the primary purpose of CGTRI is to fund academic research that directly enhances MSS technical capabilities for espionage.
The Chinese organisation is alleged to have provided grants to 100 or more academics at various UK universities, in return gaining access to research that MI5 believes found its way back to China's intelligence service. Targeted research areas include AI, cybersecurity, covert communications, and steganography.
MI5 has stated that continued collaboration with CGTRI could lead to prosecution under the National Security Act 2023, specifically under sections related to assisting a foreign intelligence service or obtaining a material benefit from one. Security Minister Dan Jarvis has urged universities to end ties with CGTRI and has written to all university vice-chancellors to ensure compliance with the National Security Act.
Universities UK and the Russell Group have both affirmed that universities take national security responsibilities seriously and are committed to working with government and security services to manage risks.