Britain’s domestic intelligence agency MI5 has accused a Chinese research organisation of funding academic projects that could help strengthen Beijing’s intelligence capabilities, including work involving artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
In an “Espionage Alert”, MI5 said more than 100 academics based in the UK had been involved in research projects funded by the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI). The agency alleged that the organisation maintained close links with China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), the country’s civilian intelligence service.
According to MI5, CGTRI’s primary objective was to finance academic research that could enhance the technical capabilities of the MSS for intelligence operations.
The agency said UK researchers had participated in CGTRI-backed projects covering areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography, a technique used to conceal information within other messages or digital files.
MI5 described the warning as the first espionage alert it had independently issued publicly. The development comes amid continuing disagreements between London and Beijing over alleged Chinese intelligence activities.
Chinese authorities have previously rejected similar accusations, describing them as baseless.
MI5 said many academics and institutions may have worked with CGTRI without being aware of its alleged connections to the MSS.
However, the agency warned that individuals who continue certain forms of cooperation with the organisation could face legal consequences under Britain’s National Security Act 2023, which expanded government powers to address foreign espionage and activities considered harmful to national security.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said he had contacted university leaders across the UK and urged them to ensure staff discontinued relationships with the Chinese organisation.
Jarvis said the alert highlighted what he described as efforts by Chinese intelligence to gain access to British academic expertise and research, potentially affecting the security interests of the UK and its allies.
He also stressed that international academic partnerships remain important but said the government would take measures to address perceived security risks.
The latest warning comes as Britain continues to balance efforts to strengthen economic ties with China against growing security concerns.
The UK government has pursued closer engagement with Beijing in areas including trade, while also raising concerns over alleged espionage and attempts to interfere in British political and democratic institutions.
MI5 Director General Ken McCallum said last year that Chinese intelligence activities represented an ongoing national security concern. He also alleged that fake employment opportunities had been used to approach British professionals with access to sensitive information.
The agency previously warned lawmakers that individuals linked to China had allegedly attempted to establish contact with politicians by posing as recruitment firms or headhunters.
In June, intelligence agencies from the Five Eyes alliance — comprising the United States, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — also warned about efforts to use online employment platforms to approach people with access to sensitive information.
China’s embassy in London rejected the latest allegations, calling the warning “entirely fabricated” and accusing Britain of spreading malicious claims.
