UK warns universities to cut ties with China-linked firm after MI5 flags AI, cyber research espionage

UK warns universities to cut ties with China-linked firm after MI5 flags AI, cyber research espionage

UK warns universities to cut ties with China-linked firm after MI5 flags AI, cyber research espionage

A Chinese national flag is raised at the Chinese embassy in London. (AP Photo)

The UK has warned universities and academics against continuing work with a China-linked research organisation that MI5 says has strong ties to Chinese intelligence and was used to fund research that could support espionage.

According to the BBC, MI5 issued a rare public warning on Wednesday over the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), also known as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT). The British security service said the organisation has “very strong ties” to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS).

MI5 said more than 100 UK-linked academics had contributed to projects funded through CGTRI. The research covered areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography, a technique used to hide information inside other files or objects.

The security service said many academics and institutions may have worked with CGTRI “in good faith”, without being aware of its links to Chinese intelligence. It has now advised universities to immediately review existing and planned collaborations with the organisation.

“MI5 has identified that the primary purpose of CGTRI is to fund academic research that directly improves MSS technical capability for espionage,” the agency said in its alert.

UK warns academics of possible legal action

The warning also carries a legal dimension. MI5 said continued cooperation could potentially result in prosecution under the National Security Act 2023, including provisions covering assistance to a foreign intelligence service.

The agency advised researchers working with Chinese institutions to establish the ultimate source of research funding to ensure CGTRI is not involved.

UK security minister Dan Jarvis said he had written to university vice-chancellors asking them to end arrangements with the organisation.

“This alert exposes attempts by Chinese intelligence to covertly benefit from the expertise and research of our academics,” Jarvis said, adding that the government would take action against threats to UK national security.

The warning comes amid broader concerns in the UK over Chinese intelligence activity. In June, the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partners — the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — warned that Chinese military intelligence was targeting professional networking sites and online job platforms to obtain sensitive information.

Universities UK and the Russell Group said British universities take research security and national security responsibilities seriously, while stressing the importance of international academic collaboration.

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