Queen’s University Belfast reviews China partnerships after MI5 warning

Queen’s University Belfast has begun reviewing existing and proposed collaborations involving the China General Technology Research Institute after a warning from the UK security service MI5. The university “strongly advised” staff to examine partnerships involving CGTRI and to conduct due diligence on the ultimate source of funding for collaborations with Chinese institutions. An email to staff said this might not be clear through existing university systems.

MI5 warned UK universities that CGTRI was a front company with strong ties to China’s Ministry of State Security. The agency said more than 100 UK-linked academics had contributed to projects funded by the ministry through the organisation. According to MI5, some researchers may not have known about the alleged role of the organisation.

The projects included work on artificial intelligence, cyber-security, covert communications and steganography, which involves concealing information within an ordinary message or object. MI5 said academics who failed to cut ties with CGTRI could ultimately face criminal charges for aiding a foreign state. The supplied material did not identify any academics facing charges.

The Chinese Embassy in London rejected the allegation, calling it imaginary and purely fabricated. Queen’s said it took research and national-security responsibilities seriously and would continue supporting research and innovation partnerships while keeping the matter under review. The university said it had invested more than $10 million in China-related research over the past decade, including sustainable energy, information technology, food security and cancer research.

Ulster University said it had no research links with the organisation identified by MI5.