MI5 has warned British universities to cut ties with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), alleging it secretly channeled funding from Beijing's intelligence apparatus to over 100 UK-linked academics. The domestic intelligence service claims CGTRI has "very strong ties" to China's Ministry of State Security and that its primary purpose was funding research to improve technical espionage capabilities. The research involved sensitive fields including AI, cyber security, covert communications, and steganography.

The alert suggests links between UK researchers and CGTRI are extensive, though often unwitting. Vivienne Stern of Universities UK, representing 142 universities, said the sector has invested significantly in research security processes. Security Minister Dan Jarvis emphasized that international partnerships are vital but warned of robust action to defend against threats.

He wrote to all UK university vice-chancellors urging them to end arrangements with CGTRI. Researchers continuing CGTRI-funded work face possible offences under the National Security Act. China's embassy in London did not immediately comment, while Zheng Zeguang previously defended research collaboration as beneficial and protected from political interference.