MI5 says China-linked institute used UK academic research to improve espionage

More than 100 academics linked to UK institutions worked on projects funded by the China General Technology Research Institute, covering AI, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography. That turns ordinary research partnerships into a direct security concern because the institute is tied to China’s Ministry of State Security.

MI5 said the work was aimed at improving espionage capabilities and that sensitive findings were passed to Chinese intelligence. The agency urged British universities and researchers to cut ties with CGTRI, warning that continued cooperation could trigger criminal liability under national-security law.