Archive · 2 Oct 2026
UK Universities Urged to End China Research Institute Ties
The UK government wants universities to stop working with a Chinese research institute.
MI5 says the institute has strong links to China’s Ministry of State Security.
It says Chinese intelligence secretly funded research involving more than 100 UK-linked academics.
The research covered computers, artificial intelligence and ways to hide messages.
MI5 is concerned that the research could help espionage.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said universities should end their arrangements with the institute.
A UK university group said research security is very important, while international cooperation remains valuable.
China’s embassy said the accusations were made up and that cooperation with UK universities follows the law.
The UK government urged universities to end arrangements with the China General Technology Research Institute.
MI5 said more than 100 UK-linked academics worked on projects secretly funded by Chinese intelligence.
The research included artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography.
MI5 said the institute has strong ties to China’s Ministry of State Security and poses an espionage risk.
China’s embassy rejected the allegations as fabricated and defended UK-China academic collaboration as lawful and mutually beneficial.
- Who
- The UK government, MI5, British universities, the China General Technology Research Institute and China’s embassy in the UK.
- What
- The UK urged universities to review and end collaborations with a Chinese research institute over alleged intelligence and espionage links.
- When
- The British government issued its instruction on Wednesday; MI5 also issued a security advisory.
- Where
- The issue concerns academic research partnerships between universities in the United Kingdom and China.
- Why
- MI5 says the institute may be transferring UK research and technical expertise to China’s intelligence services.
UK Security Assessment
China’s Rejection
Nature of the institute
UK Security Assessment
MI5 says the institute has very strong ties to China’s Ministry of State Security and seeks research that could improve China’s technical espionage capacity.
China’s Rejection
China’s embassy denies the allegations and says they are imaginary, fabricated and baseless.
Future university cooperation
UK Security Assessment
The UK government says universities should end arrangements with the institute because cooperation could benefit Chinese intelligence and potentially breach the National Security Act.
China’s Rejection
China says exchanges and collaboration between UK and Chinese universities are voluntary, lawful and mutually beneficial.
International research
UK Security Assessment
British university representatives say international collaboration remains important but warn that valuable research can make the UK a target for hostile actors.
China’s Rejection
The Chinese embassy says UK intelligence claims undermine educational exchanges and research cooperation between the two countries.
- Institute
- China General Technology Research Institute, also known as the China Academy of General Technology.
- UK instruction
- Security Minister Dan Jarvis told universities to end all arrangements with the institute.
- MI5 estimate
- More than 100 UK-linked academics reportedly worked on projects funded through the institute.
- Research areas
- Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications systems and steganography.
- Legal concern
- Jarvis said collaboration with the institute could breach the UK’s National Security Act.
- University response
- Universities UK and the Russell Group said institutions take research and national security responsibilities seriously.
- China’s response
- China’s Embassy in the UK called the allegations imaginary, fabricated and baseless.
