MI5 warns UK academics may aid Chinese spy tech

At least 100 academics with connections to the UK may have unknowingly contributed to projects funded by Chinese intelligence to develop spy technology, the UK's security service has warned. MI5 has advised academics to scrutinise any current or future work involving the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), also known as the China Academy of General Technology.

MI5 stated that CGTRI has "very strong ties" to Beijing's intelligence service. The security service issued its first independent alert on Wednesday, warning that researchers associating with the Chinese body could be breaching UK national security laws concerning assistance to or benefit from foreign powers.

According to MI5, the primary objective of CGTRI is to finance research aimed at enhancing China's technological capabilities for espionage. The academics involved in these projects, which are considered a threat to national security, may not have been aware of the funding source, MI5 suggested.

Research funded by CGTRI has encompassed areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and covert communications systems, including steganography, the method of hiding messages. The security service advised academics continuing to collaborate with CGTRI to seek legal counsel regarding national security legislation.

Government response

Security minister Dan Jarvis informed university vice-chancellors in a letter that the alert exposes attempts by Chinese intelligence to covertly leverage the expertise and research of UK academics, thereby undermining national security and that of allied nations. He urged them to support their staff in terminating all arrangements with CGTRI to prevent further benefit to Chinese intelligence services and ensure adherence to the National Security Act.

Mr Jarvis stated that while international partnerships are important for the success of universities and research institutes, the government will take firm action to counter threats. This includes supporting police and intelligence services to expose and disrupt harmful activities through the full application of the law. Ministers had previously met with university leaders in November of the previous year to discuss the risks associated with foreign interference from countries including China.

Background

Wednesday's warning follows a June alert from the government indicating that Chinese intelligence operatives were targeting UK government and military personnel through job websites in an effort to gain access to classified or sensitive information.