The United Kingdom’s premier security agency MI5 issued an “Espionage Alert” on Wednesday claiming that China is using academic funding in the UK to advance its own AI and technology research.
“The primary purpose of the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) 中国通用技术研究院 is to fund research that directly improves Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) technical capability for espionage,” the alert read.
“CGTRI funds academic research in China on topics including AI and cybersecurity. More than 100 UK-linked academics have contributed to research projects funded by MSS via CGTRI. In some cases, academics may not be aware that CGTRI is funding the Chinese research project they are contributing to,” the message added.
Through the alert, MI5 warned UK’s academic institutions to review any planned collaboration with the CGTRI and to establish the ultimate funding source of any planned research in collaboration with the outfit.
Britain’s security minister Dan Jarvis advised all university leaders in the country to end all ties with Chinese organizations.
“This alert exposes attempts by Chinese intelligence to covertly benefit from the expertise and research of our academics, undermining our national security, and that of our allies,” Jarvis said in a statement.
Chinese government spokespeople have persistently denied any claims of espionage.
Reuters contributed to this post.