UK's MI5 Issues Espionage Alert Over Chinese Body Targeting British Academics

30 Sep 2026 13:02China CNY GBP UK
  • MI5 accuses the China General Technology Research Institute of targeting British academics on behalf of China's Ministry of State Security
  • MI5: More than 100 UK-linked academics, many acting unwittingly, have contributed to research including AI and cybersecurity
  • MI5: China General Technology Research Institute is funding academic research aimed at improving the Chinese intelligence service's technical capabilities
  • Academics and institutions warned they risk committing a national security offence if they continue conducting research funded by the institute