MI5, the UK's domestic security service, said publicly on Wednesday that the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) is a front for Chinese intelligence, namely the Ministry of State Security, and asked universities and researchers to halt collaboration with the institute, according to The Guardian.

According to the paper, the organisation [gave money to 100 or more academics at a series of UK universities and in return obtained access to the research], in fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and part of the material is alleged to have reached the Chinese intelligence service. With the alert, MI5 said researchers who keep engaging with the Chinese institute will be subject to legal action, according to G1.