Britain accuses China of using scientists for technological espionage

British counterintelligence agency MI5 issued an unprecedented warning that the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), which has close ties to China’s Ministry of State Security, is involved in funding scientific research, including in the field of artificial intelligence. More than a hundred British scientists were involved in these projects.

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“MI5 has determined that the primary purpose of CGTRI is to fund scientific research that directly enhances the technical capabilities of the Chinese Ministry of State Security to carry out espionage activities. British scientists are involved in CGTRI projects related to areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, covert communication systems and steganography. This activity supports the espionage activities of the Chinese Ministry of State Security and poses a threat to UK national security.”the document said. The Chinese embassy said the accusations “Fictional and completely fabricated”. “We strongly oppose this baseless accusation and have lodged a formal protest with the British side. We call on the British intelligence agencies to stop spreading false information and stop undermining Sino-British educational exchanges and scientific research cooperation.”they said there.

MI5 noted that many academic institutions and scientists may have been working with CGTRI (sometimes called CAGT) in good faith and were unaware of its close links with the Ministry of National Security, adding that those who continued such collaboration now risk prosecution under the National Security Act 2023. Security Secretary Dan Jarvis has written to the heads of all UK universities asking staff to cease any contact with the Chinese group.

The relationship between the UK and China is becoming increasingly difficult: on the one hand, the British authorities are working hard to improve relations with Beijing and approved plans to build the largest Chinese embassy in London; on the other hand, they have repeatedly issued warnings about China’s intelligence activities. One of the activities of Chinese intelligence agencies is believed to be the use of personnel platforms to recruit agents – accusations that were also dismissed by the Chinese Embassy in London.