At least 100 academics with UK links may have unwittingly been part of projects paid for by Chinese intelligence to develop Beijing spy technology, UK security services have warned.

MI5 has urged academics to review any current or future work it has with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) – sometimes translated as China Academy of General Technology (CAGT).

The Chinese research institute has “very strong ties” to Beijing’s intelligence service, MI5 said in the first alert of its kind issued on Wednesday.

Spooks warned that researchers may be breaching UK national security laws around assisting or benefiting from foreign powers if they continue associating with the Chinese body.

The British intelligence service said that the primary purpose of CGTRI is to fund research that improves China’s technical capabilities for spying.

The UK-linked academics who have worked on the projects, which are deemed to pose a threat to national security, may not have been aware of the source of funding, MI5 suggested.

Research funded by CGTRI covered topics including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications systems and steganography, the practice of hiding messages.

Security minister Dan Jarvis said: “This alert exposes attempts by Chinese intelligence to covertly benefit from the expertise and research of our academics, undermining our national security, and that of our allies.

Security minister Dan Jarvis

PA

“I have written to all university vice-chancellors to ensure they support their staff to end all arrangements with this company, preventing further benefit to the Chinese intelligence services and ensuring compliance with the National Security Act.

“International partnerships are vital to ensure our universities and research institutes continue to thrive, but we will take robust action to defend against the threats we face.

“That means supporting our police and intelligence services to expose and disrupt harmful activity, using the full force of the law.”

Wednesday’s warning told academics who continue to work with CGTRI to take legal advice about national security laws.

Ministers also met with university chiefs in November last year to discuss the risks posed by foreign interference from countries including China.

The alert, the first MI5 has issued independently, follows a warning in June that Chinese spies are targeting UK Government and military staff on job websites to try to get access to classified or sensitive information.