MI5 issues rare warning over Chinese Institute recruiting UK academics

The UK’s domestic intelligence agency MI5 has released an unusual alert to universities about the risk of Chinese espionage warning that more than 100 academies linked to the UK have worked on projects secretly funded by Chinese intelligence to develop technology used for spying.

According to the reports, academics in the UK who have projects sponsored by the organization are strongly advised to review future partnerships. MI5 has warned that continued non-compliance could put them in breach of UK national security laws regarding foreign influence.

The UK-linked researchers involved in these projects have been designated as a national security threat though many not have been cognizant of the original funding source.

In this connection, Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: “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.”

“I have written to all university Vice-Chancellors to ensure they support their staff to end all arrangements with this company, preventing further benefit to the Chinese intelligence services and ensuring compliance with the National Security Act.”

The warning issued today told academics to continue work with CGTRI to seek counsel on national security legislation. It further noted that many academic institutions will have engaged with CGTRI in good faith given its obfuscated links to China’s Ministry of State Security. Moreover UK academic institutions are urged to immediately review any ongoing or planned collaboration with CGTRI.