THE UK’s MI5 has issued a Security Service Espionage Alert alleging that China’s MSS has funded research through the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), also known as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT). The agency says CGTRI is a front for MSS funding of UK-linked academic projects that advance Chinese state capabilities, with research spanning artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications systems, and steganography.
The alert states that more than 100 UK-connected academics contributed to MSS-funded work via CGTRI, and notes that some researchers may not even realise their work is financially backed by CGTRI.
The alert warns that the activity supports MSS espionage and could threaten UK national security, urging UK academic institutions to review collaborations with CGTRI and to trace funding sources to ensure propriety. It also notes that continued collaboration could expose institutions, staff and researchers to prosecution under the National Security Act 2023 for aiding a foreign intelligence service.
In response, the Chinese embassy rejected the allegations as imaginary and fabricated, while UK think-tank UKCT has highlighted staffing overlaps between CGTRI and China’s University of International Relations, describing CGTRI as specialising in cybersecurity, signals intelligence, and AI-enabled tools useful for national objectives.
The bulletin frames the potential impact as including cyber-attacks against UK targets such as companies, universities and public services, underscoring calls for heightened scrutiny of international research partnerships.