MI5 issues rare Chinese spy warning to UK universities

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Swipe for article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.

Already a member? Log in

More than 100 academics with links to the UK have worked on projects secretly funded by Chinese intelligence to develop technology to use for spying, MI5 has warned.

MI5 has issued its first standalone security alert, warning that a Chinese research organisation maintains "very strong ties" to China ’s intelligence service.

The body, the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI)—sometimes translated as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT)—operates primarily to finance research that enhances China’s technical capabilities for spying, the agency stated on Wednesday.

Academics in the UK who have undertaken work funded by the body are "strongly advised" to review any current or future projects. MI5 warned that continuing could see them breach UK national security laws regarding assisting or benefiting from foreign powers.

The UK-linked researchers involved in these projects, which are deemed to pose a threat to national security, may not have been aware of the true source of the funding.

Their work encompassed fields including Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, covert communications systems and steganography, which is the practice of hiding messages.

Security minister Dan Jarvis said: “This alert exposes attempts by Chinese intelligence to covertly benefit from the expertise and research of our academics, undermining our national security, and that of our allies.

“I have written to all university Vice-Chancellors to ensure they support their staff to end all arrangements with this company, preventing further benefit to the Chinese intelligence services and ensuring compliance with the National Security Act.

“International partnerships are vital to ensure our universities and research institutes continue to thrive, but we will take robust action to defend against the threats we face.

“That means supporting our police and intelligence services to expose and disrupt harmful activity, using the full force of the law.”

The alert, posted on the MI5 website on Wednesday, follows a warning in June that Chinese spies are targeting UK Government and military staff on job websites to try to get access to classified or sensitive information.

A bulletin released by the Five Eyes powers – the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – highlighted an “aggressive” online recruitment strategy where spies for Chinese military intelligence pose as workers acting on behalf of private businesses or think tanks.

Ministers also met with university chiefs in November last year to the risks posed by foreign interference from countries including China.

The warning issued on Wednesday, told academics who continue to work with CGTRI to take legal advice national security laws.

It says: “Many academic institutions and individuals will to date have engaged with CGTRI in good faith given CGTRI’s obfuscated links to MSS (China’s Ministry of State Security).

“UK academic institutions are strongly advised to immediately review any ongoing or planned collaboration with CGTRI.

“This is to ensure MSS derives no further benefit from UK universities or research institutions.

“Further, academics are advised to establish the ultimate funding source when conducting any research collaboration with Chinese institutions, to ensure CGTRI is not involved.

“Through this espionage alert, MI5 has placed the fact that CGTRI has very strong ties to MSS in the public domain.

“Going forward, academic institutions, staff and researchers should ensure they are aware of the National Security Act 2023, particularly offences under section 3 (Assisting a Foreign Intelligence Service) and section 17 (Obtaining a Material Benefit from a Foreign Intelligence Service).”

It continues: “Any institution or individual continuing to conduct research ultimately funded by CGTRI following publication of this espionage alert should take their own independent legal advice, in particular (but not limited to) in relation to the offences under sections 3 and 17 of the National Security Act 2023.”

Libby Hackett, chief executive of the Russell Group, a group of 24 research-intensive universities, said: “The ground-breaking research that Russell Group universities produce, including in fields of strategic national importance, is an incredibly important asset for the UK.

“International collaboration remains a crucial part of the picture, but we know our world-leading research strengths can make the UK a target for hostile actors.

“As such, all our universities take national security responsibilities very seriously.

“Working closely with Government departments and the security services enables universities to take swift action to protect UK interests – and we will continue to do so in the face of new and emerging threats.”

Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK (UUK), which represents more than 140 institutions, said: “Universities take their responsibilities around research security and national security extremely seriously.

“The sector has made significant investments in recent years to strengthen due diligence, risk assessment and research security processes, while continuing to support the international collaboration that is essential to world-leading research and innovation.”

She added that the organisation’s “immediate focus” was supporting universities as they assess any implications for existing or future partnerships.

Ms Stern said: “Close engagement between Government and the higher education sector is vital to ensuring that universities and the country continue to benefit from international collaboration while effectively managing national security risks.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in