Queen's University Belfast (QUB) has instructed staff to review certain partnerships with China following an MI5 warning. The UK's internal security service cautioned universities that they may have unintentionally aided Chinese espionage.
MI5 stated that the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) operates as a front company for China's intelligence and security service. Staff at Queen's have been "strongly advised to review any existing or proposed collaborations involving CGTRI."
The security service issued an alert to UK universities regarding CGTRI, which it said has "very strong ties" to the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS). MI5 identified more than 100 UK-linked academics who had contributed to projects funded by the MSS via CGTRI, with some researchers reportedly unaware of the front company's involvement.
Projects funded by CGTRI that UK academics contributed to include topics such as AI, cyber-security, covert communications systems, and steganography. MI5 warned that academics who do not end ties with CGTRI could ultimately face criminal charges for aiding a foreign state.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in London described the accusation as "imaginary and purely fabricated." QUB has commenced a review of collaborations involving CGTRI and has asked staff to report any concerns to their Faculty Dean of Research.