MI5 Says China’s MSS Funded Research Involving 100+ U.K.-Linked Academics
MI5 says China's MSS used front company CGTRI to fund research involving more than 100 UK-linked academics.
On September 30, 2026, MI5 warned that the China General Technology Research Institute, also called the China Academy of General Technology, is a front that funds research improving Ministry of State Security espionage capabilities. Funded topics include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications, and steganography. More than 100 UK-linked academics have contributed to CGTRI-funded projects, and some may not know the funding source. MI5 urged universities to review collaborations and warned that continued assistance could be prosecuted under the National Security Act 2023. China's embassy in the UK called the claims fabricated.
- MI5 says CGTRI is an MSS front funding AI, cybersecurity, covert communications, and steganography research.
- More than 100 UK-linked academics contributed, sometimes possibly unaware of the funding source.
- Universities should review CGTRI ties; continued help may violate the National Security Act 2023.
- China's UK embassy rejected the alert as fabricated and defended academic exchanges.
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Ravie LakshmananOct 03, 2026Cyber Espionage / Artificial Intelligence
The U.K.'s domestic intelligence and security agency has warned that more than 100 academics have helped China boost its intelligence gathering efforts on behalf of Beijing's state security service.
In a "Security Service Espionage Alert" issued on September 30, 2026, MI5 said the "primary purpose of the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) 中国通用技术研究院 is to fund research that directly improves Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) technical capability for espionage."
CGTRI, also known as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT), is assessed to be a front company for MSS. The body, per MI5, funds academic research in China on topics including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, covert communications systems, and steganography.
More than 100 U.K.-linked academics have contributed to research projects funded by MSS via CGTRI, the alert read. In some cases, the individuals may not be aware that CGTRI is providing monetary backing to the Chinese research project they are contributing to.
"This activity supports MSS espionage, which poses a threat to U.K. national security," the unprecedented alert said.
U.K. academic institutions are being urged to immediately review any ongoing or planned collaboration with CGTRI, and trace the funding source when conducting research collaborations with Chinese institutions to ensure that the entity is not involved.
The alert has also cautioned that institutions, staff, and researchers continuing to collaborate could be prosecuted under the National Security Act 2023 for providing material assistance to a foreign intelligence service in carrying out U.K.-related activities.
Responding to the alert, the Chinese embassy in the U.K. called the accusations "imaginary and purely fabricated."
"We firmly oppose such baseless allegations and have lodged solemn representations with the U.K. side," an embassy spokesperson added. "Exchanges and collaboration between U.K. universities and China have always been conducted on a voluntary basis and in compliance with laws and regulations. Such exchanges and collaboration are mutually beneficial."
"We urge the U.K. intelligence authorities to stop spreading falsehoods and stop undermining educational exchanges and research cooperation between China and the U.K."
In August 2025, a report from the U.K.-China Transparency (UKCT) think tank revealed that Chinese students at U.K. universities are being forced to spy on their classmates in an attempt to suppress discussing issues that are sensitive to the Chinese government, an allegation the Chinese embassy has called "groundless and absurd."
"CGTRI [...] has identifiable staffing overlaps with China's University of International Relations, widely known to be uniquely closely affiliated with China's Ministry of State Security," UKCT said. "CGTRI specialises in cybersecurity, signals intelligence, and a variety of AI-enabled tools for strategic national objectives."
"These specialties include capabilities especially useful for conducting cyber-attacks of the kind that Chinese government agencies, including the MSS, have executed against U.K. targets, including companies, universities, and public services and infrastructure."
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