MI5 Issues Rare Public Alert to Stop Chinese Intelligence Benefiting From UK University Research

MI5, Britain's domestic counter-intelligence agency, has publicly identified the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) as having strong ties to China's Ministry of State Security (MSS), warning British academics and universities that continued collaboration could have potential criminal consequences.

In its 30 September espionage alert, MI5 said CGTRI's primary purpose is to fund research that directly improves the MSS's technical capability for espionage. It said more than 100 UK-linked academics had contributed to research projects funded by the MSS through CGTRI, with some potentially unaware that the institute was behind the funding.

Why MI5 Went Public

The warning marks a rare public intervention by MI5, also known as the Security Service, in putting an organisation's alleged links to Chinese intelligence directly into the public domain. MI5 had chosen a public deterrence strategy because of the scale of Chinese state espionage targeting Britain, rather than pursuing every case individually.

The MI5 hopes universities will immediately cease work with CGTRI.

'MI5 has identified that the primary purpose of CGTRI is to fund academic research that directly improves MSS technical capability for espionage,' the alert states. It urges UK academic institutions to immediately review any ongoing or planned collaboration with CGTRI.

What the Law Says

The alert does not create a new offence, but MI5 said researchers and institutions should be aware of the National Security Act 2023. Under section 3, an offence can arise where a person engages in conduct likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service in UK-related activities and knows, or ought reasonably to know based on matters known to them, that their conduct is likely to do so. Offences under the Act carry a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.

The alert also refers to section 17, concerning obtaining a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service. MI5 said any institution or individual continuing research ultimately funded by CGTRI should seek independent legal advice.

MI5 issued the section warning of potential criminal consequences after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Research Involved

MI5 said CGTRI has funded research in areas including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Projects also involved covert communications and steganography, a technique for concealing data within other files or images.

The British intelligence organisation believes Chinese intelligence gained access to British research into scraping social media. Some British-based academics also received Chinese awards alongside research funding.

Universities Respond

Security minister Dan Jarvis said the alert exposed attempts by Chinese intelligence to benefit from British academic expertise and research. He said he had written to university vice-chancellors to ensure staff were supported in ending arrangements with CGTRI.

Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents 142 institutions, said the sector had invested in due diligence, risk assessment and research security. Russell Group chief executive Libby Hackett said its universities take their national security responsibilities seriously.

Universities and researchers now face closer scrutiny of the ultimate sources of research funding. MI5 has advised academics working with Chinese institutions to establish those sources and ensure CGTRI is not involved, while the government has stressed that international research partnerships remain important.

Whether universities end existing CGTRI collaborations, and whether any conduct ultimately results in enforcement action, remains to be seen.