cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11617217
- MI5 warns that Chinese body is targeting UK academics
- China’s state security behind research funding, MI5 says
- Warning is latest accusation by UK of Chinese espionage
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More than 100 UK-linked academics have contributed to projects funded by a Chinese research institute exposed as a front for espionage, the UK’s security service has warned.
Issuing an alert on 30 September, MI5 said the primary purpose of the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), sometimes translated as the China Academy of General Technology, is to fund research that directly improves Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) technical capability for espionage.
The institute poses a “significant threat” to UK security, the service said, asking researchers and academics to cease working on any projects related to the institute with immediate effect.
Over 100 researchers from or linked to UK institutions have contributed to projects funded by the CGTRI, MI5 said. “In some cases, academics may not be aware that CGTRI is funding the Chinese research project they are contributing to,” MI5 said in a statement.
It added that UK academics have contributed to topics funded by the CGTRI including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications systems and steganography. “This activity supports MSS espionage, which poses a threat to UK national security,” said MI5.
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The news follows confirmation from the UK government earlier this month that a dedicated research security fund will be set up by the end of the year to help universities meet the rising costs of protecting research from hostile actors and other threats.
Dan Jarvis, the security minister, 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.
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The MI5 statement said: “Many academic institutions and individuals will to date have engaged with CGTRI in good faith given CGTRI’s obfuscated links to MSS. UK academic institutions are strongly advised to immediately review any ongoing or planned collaboration with CGTRI. This is to ensure MSS derives no further benefit from UK universities or research institutions.
“Further, academics are advised to establish the ultimate funding source when conducting any research collaboration with Chinese institutions, to ensure CGTRI is not involved.”
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