Britain's MI5 has warned universities that more than 100 academics contributed to research funded through an organisation linked to China's security services.

The alert concerns the China Global Television Research Institute, or CGTRI, which security officials say is connected to China's Ministry of State Security. Research areas included artificial intelligence, cyber security and steganography.

Security minister Dan Jarvis wrote to university vice-chancellors urging them to review their institutions' ties to the programme.

The warning is the latest in a series of British alerts about research security. Universities have been told to check funding sources and collaborations more carefully.

China's foreign ministry has in the past rejected similar British claims as unfounded. Universities UK said institutions take research security seriously and work with the government.

Officials say the research itself may have legitimate academic value, but the funding route raises concerns about how findings could be used.

Universities UK said institutions already screen high-risk international collaborations under the government's Trusted Research guidance. Officials stressed that most academic partnerships with China remain legitimate and valuable.

Sources: thetimes.com, reuters.com, theregister.com.