Archive · 1 Oct 2026
MI5 Warns UK Universities Over Chinese Espionage Research Links
MI5 is the United Kingdom’s security service.
It warned universities about research funded by a Chinese organisation called CGTRI.
MI5 says CGTRI has very strong links to China’s Ministry of State Security.
More than 100 UK-linked academics worked on projects connected to the organisation.
The projects included artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and ways to hide information.
MI5 believes some of this research could help Chinese intelligence operations.
Some researchers may have worked with CGTRI without knowing about its alleged intelligence links.
Universities were told to check their partnerships and funding carefully.
The warning comes as Britain tries to balance national security concerns with efforts to improve relations and trade with China.
MI5 warned UK universities that the China General Technology Research Institute has “very strong ties” to China’s Ministry of State Security.
More than 100 UK-linked academics reportedly contributed to CGTRI-funded projects involving artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography.
MI5 said CGTRI’s primary purpose is funding research that directly improves the Ministry of State Security’s technical espionage capabilities.
Universities were urged to review current and planned collaborations, identify ultimate funding sources and consider ending work with CGTRI.
MI5 warned of possible criminal consequences under the National Security Act 2023, while the government continues efforts to improve trade relations with China.
- Who
- MI5, UK universities, more than 100 UK-linked academics, the China General Technology Research Institute and China’s Ministry of State Security.
- What
- MI5 issued an espionage alert about Chinese intelligence links to academic research funded through CGTRI.
- When
- The alert was issued on Wednesday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The alert concerns UK universities and research collaborations involving Chinese institutions.
- Why
- MI5 said CGTRI-funded research could improve the Ministry of State Security’s technical espionage capabilities and create national security and legal risks.
National security and deterrence
Research collaboration and UK-China engagement
Whether CGTRI-linked work should continue
National security and deterrence
MI5 and the UK government say universities should review and potentially end CGTRI-linked collaborations because they may support Chinese espionage and create legal or national security risks.
Research collaboration and UK-China engagement
The articles describe Britain’s parallel efforts to improve relations and trade with Beijing, but provide no direct response from CGTRI, Chinese officials or affected academics defending the collaborations.
How universities should manage partnerships
National security and deterrence
MI5 advises institutions to identify the ultimate source of funding, seek independent legal advice where necessary and use government research-security guidance before continuing or starting collaborations.
Research collaboration and UK-China engagement
The articles note that some institutions and researchers may have worked with CGTRI in good faith because its alleged links to the Ministry of State Security were not clear.
- Warning issuer
- The Security Service, commonly known as MI5
- Organisation named
- China General Technology Research Institute, also known as the China Academy of General Technology
- Chinese agency linked
- China’s Ministry of State Security
- Academics involved
- More than 100 UK-linked academics
- Research areas
- Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications, steganography and social-media scraping
- Potential legal risks
- Possible offences under Sections 3 and 17 of the National Security Act 2023
- Government response
- Security Minister Dan Jarvis wrote to university leaders urging them to end relationships with CGTRI
