Chinese espionage in British research institutions

MI5 has issued a warning that China is exploiting funding ties with UK universities and research institutions to funnel sensitive research, including AI-related work, back to Beijing's intelligence services. The alert flags academic and research collaborations as a vector for espionage, urging institutions to scrutinize Chinese-linked funding and partnerships more closely. This forms part of wider British security concerns about state-linked interference in higher education and technology sectors. China has been accused of running a covert campaign specifically targeting prized AI and technology research for theft.