UK research funded by China front company being sent to Beijing's spies, MI5 warns
Summary
MI5 has warned that over 100 British academics have unknowingly helped Chinese spies by working with a company tied to China’s intelligence services. The UK government urges universities to stop collaborating with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) because its research funding supports Chinese espionage against the UK.Key Facts
- MI5 issued a public warning about China’s use of a front company called CGTRI to fund research in the UK.
- CGTRI is closely linked to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), which handles espionage and intelligence.
- More than 100 UK academics have contributed to projects funded by CGTRI without knowing its ties to Chinese intelligence.
- Research topics include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, secret communication systems, and steganography (hiding messages inside other messages).
- The UK government says this activity threatens national security and urges universities to end cooperation with CGTRI immediately.
- Under the National Security Act of 2023, individuals who knowingly help foreign intelligence services can be prosecuted.
- Security Minister Dan Jarvis has written to all university leaders to stop partnerships with CGTRI.
- This alert builds on earlier warnings from intelligence agencies in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand about China targeting professionals online.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
