MI5 Raises Alarm Over Chinese Funding of UK Academic Research
MI5 warns MSS-linked CGTRI funded research involving more than 100 UK academics, some unknowingly.
On September 30, MI5 warned that the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) is closely tied to China’s Ministry of State Security and exists mainly to fund research that improves MSS espionage capability. More than 100 UK-linked academics contributed to CGTRI-funded projects, in some cases without knowing the ultimate funder, covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications, and steganography. Universities were told to review current and planned collaboration immediately; MI5 said continued work could expose people to liability under the UK National Security Act 2023. China called the allegations fabricated and said it had protested to the UK.