MI5 has alerted UK academics to possible espionage risks linked to the China General Technology Research Institute, prompting a warning to Scottish universities.
The security service said the institute is tied to China’s intelligence service and urged academics to review current and future links with it. MI5 said its primary purpose is to fund research that improves the espionage capabilities of China’s state security ministry. The alert, issued at the end of September, was the first MI5 had issued independently.
The Scottish Government has also written to a number of institutions about espionage risks on campus. Tertiary education minister Alyn Smith said the government takes the alert seriously and is working with UK authorities, the Scottish Funding Council and universities on research security. He said academics with concerns about foreign interference can use confidential reporting routes.
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