The Security Service has taken the unusual step of publicly identifying the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), also known as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT), as an organisation closely linked to China's civilian intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS). According to MI5, more than 100 academics based in the UK have contributed to CGTRI-funded projects involving artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography.
MI5 acknowledged that many institutions and individuals may have dealt with CGTRI 'in good faith' because of what it described as the organisation's 'obfuscated links' to the MSS. The agency is not accusing all of the academics of knowingly assisting Chinese intelligence. However, MI5 stated: 'This activity supports MSS espionage, which poses a threat to UK national security.'
The service strongly advised UK universities to immediately review any current or planned collaboration with CGTRI and ensure that the MSS derives no further benefit from British research. Academics working with Chinese institutions are being told to establish who is ultimately funding the research and confirm that CGTRI is not involved.
MI5 specifically highlighted two offences under the National Security Act 2023: assisting a foreign intelligence service (section 3) and obtaining a material benefit from one (section 17). Under section 3, an offence can be committed if a person's conduct is likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service with UK-related activities and they know, or 'ought reasonably to know', that it is likely to do so. Section 17 covers accepting or retaining a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service.
With CGTRI's alleged links now publicly identified, MI5 warned that any institution or researcher continuing to conduct work funded by the organisation should seek independent legal advice. The message is clear: ignorance of the funding source may no longer be a defence.