Edinburgh University Probes Research Linked to Chinese Intelligence After MI5 Warning
The institution is reviewing academic work that may have been funded by an organization identified by MI5 as a front for Chinese intelligence services.
Edinburgh Napier University is conducting an investigation into research by its academics that may have been utilized by Chinese intelligence services. This action follows a report indicating that MI5 has alerted UK universities to cease collaborations with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), which the domestic security agency stated is funding academic research for China's Ministry of State Security (MSS).
The university's review specifically concerns a 2024 paper authored by researchers Amir Hussain and Dr. Zhiyuan Tan. Their work focused on methods for detecting deepfake technology, a form of digital manipulation used to create deceptive videos that imitate real individuals.
A university spokesperson stated, "We are aware of previous research activity that might be indirectly linked to this organisation and are reviewing this in light of the new information provided by MI5 last week. We will ensure that this alert is fully reflected in the due diligence that we apply to all research activity."
Mr. Hussain and Dr. Tan collaborated with Chinese researchers on the paper, which received partial funding from a Chinese grant identified as ‘U2336202’. This grant was alongside funding from the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Other published research indicates that ‘U2336202’ is part of a multi-million yuan joint fund established by China's National Natural Science Foundation and CGTRI.
Dr. Tan has previously presented cybersecurity research at international conferences, while Mr. Hussain is recognized as a leading academic in artificial intelligence. Both researchers worked on the paper prior to the exposure of CGTRI's alleged connections to the MSS.
Last week, MI5 issued an unusual public espionage alert, calling on British universities to stop accepting funding from the MSS for research in sensitive fields like artificial intelligence. The Security Service asserted that "The primary purpose of CGTRI is to fund academic research that directly improves MSS technical capability for espionage."
This warning highlighted claims that Chinese intelligence services have been covertly funding studies at British universities in critical technological areas to enhance their espionage capabilities.
Sam Dunning, director of the campaign group UK-China Transparency, commented on the situation: "The MSS has been involved in documented cyber-attacks against British businesses, civil society institutions, and public services. These attacks are costly, damaging, and overtly hostile. So, UK-based researchers have been helping a foreign intelligence agency that has been attacking us, and helping in the domains of technology that those attacks depend on. It is a massive failure, and responsibility is shared by universities and by a string of previous governments of all stripes who have failed to get to grips with these issues."
Mr. Hussain and Dr. Tan were approached for comment regarding the ongoing investigation.