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Edinburgh Napier University is investigating research conducted by academics Amir Hussain and Dr Zhiyuan Tan, which may have been linked to the Chinese General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), following an MI5 warning about potential ties between CGTRI and the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS). The investigation centers on a paper from 2024 that explored methods for detecting deepfake technology; this research was partially funded by a grant named “U2336202” from China’s National Natural Science Foundation in partnership with CGTRI. MI5 warned UK universities to cease cooperation with CGTRI, citing its role in funding academic research beneficial to the MSS’s espionage activities.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Edinburgh Napier University is investigating research conducted by its academics Amir Hussain and Dr Zhiyuan Tan, following an MI5 warning about ties between UK universities and Chinese intelligence services. The warning specifically highlighted concerns over the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), which reportedly funds academic research for the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS). Hussain and Dr Tan collaborated on a paper in 2024 that explored methods to detect deepfake technology, funded partly by a Chinese grant named ‘U2336202’. The university is reviewing past research activities linked to CGTRI in light of the new MI5 alert. Edinburgh Napier University stated it will update its due diligence practices for all future research endeavors to reflect this warning.
Written for “Chinese Intelligence Links Investigation” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.35, but all 3 of its quote(s) are attributed speech - words the article quotes from someone, not the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 66509: attributed speech only · logged 2026-10-08
A Scottish university is investigating research by its academics which may have been used by the Chinese intelligence services, it has emerged.
uncertain
it → investigate → services
It follows a report in the Mail that MI5 has warned UK universities to stop working with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), which it said was funding academic research for the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS).
asserted
it → follow → Security
In 2024 two researchers at Edinburgh Napier University, Amir Hussain and Dr Zhiyuan Tan, worked on a paper linked to CGTRI which is now being investigated by the institution.
asserted
which → work → institution
The paper looked at how to detect deepfake technology, which is used to imitate real people online and create deceiving videos.
asserted
which → look → videos
A university spokesman said: ‘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.
uncertain
that → say → MI5
‘We will ensure that this alert is fully reflected in the due diligence that we apply to all research activity.’
asserted
we → ensure → activity
Mr Hussain and Dr Tan worked in partnership with Chinese researchers and their paper was partly funded by a Chinese grant named ‘U2336202’, alongside funding from the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
asserted
paper → work → Council
In other published research U2336202 is described as being part of a joint fund worth millions of yuan set up by China’s National Natural Science Foundation and CGTRI.
asserted
U2336202 → publish → Foundation
A paper written by Amir Hussain and Dr Zhiyuan Tan linked to CGTRI is being investigated by Edinburgh Napier University
Dr Tan has presented research on cyber-security to world-leading conferences abroad while Mr Hussain is one of the world’s leading academics in AI.
The pair worked on the paper before CGTRI’s links to the MSS were exposed.
asserted
links → write → MSS
In an unprecedented public espionage alert last week MI5 called out British universities for taking funding from the MSS for research on sensitive topics such as artificial intelligence.
asserted
MI5 → call → intelligence
The Security Service said: ‘The primary purpose of CGTRI is to fund academic research that directly improves MSS technical capability for espionage.’
asserted
that → say → espionage
The stark warning revealed Beijing’s spies were secretly funding studies at British universities in key areas to hone their ‘technical capability for espionage’.
asserted
spies → reveal → espionage
Sam Dunning, director of campaign group UK-China Transparency, said: ‘The MSS has been involved in documented cyber-attacks against British businesses, civil society institutions, and public services.
asserted
MSS → say → businesses
These attacks are costly, damaging, and overtly hostile.
asserted
attacks → damage → ?
‘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.
asserted
attacks → base → that
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.’
asserted
who → share → issues
Mr Hussain and Dr Tan were approached for comment.
asserted
Hussain → approach → comment
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