[File: Matt Dunham/AP Photo]
Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has instructed academics to cease working with a Chinese organization funding research at UK universities, alleging the group maintains “very strong ties” with China’s spy agency.
In a rare public espionage alert issued on Wednesday, MI5 stated that the “primary purpose” of the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) is to finance academic research designed to enhance the espionage capabilities of the Ministry of State Security (MSS), China’s primary intelligence agency. Beijing did not immediately respond to the allegations, though it has previously strongly denied similar accusations.
According to MI5, the CGTRI targeted more than 100 UK-based academics specializing in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications systems, and steganography.
The security agency noted that many academics and institutions likely engaged with the CGTRI in good faith, unaware of its close connections to the MSS. However, MI5 warned that individuals or institutions continuing to accept grants from or collaborate with the CGTRI now risk prosecution under the UK’s National Security Act 2023, which granted the government expanded powers to combat foreign espionage and hostile state actions.
“This activity supports MSS espionage, which poses a threat to UK national security,” MI5 stated.
Following the alert, UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed he has written to all university leaders across Britain to ensure academic staff immediately terminate any relationships with the CGTRI.
“This alert exposes attempts by Chinese intelligence to covertly benefit from the expertise and research of our academics, undermining our national security, and that of our allies,” Jarvis said in a statement. (Newswire)
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