Chinese authorities have intensified escalated cybersecurity tensions, accusing the United States National Security Agency (NSA) of conducting "advanced" cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February.
According to a report by state news agency Xinhua, Harbin’s public security bureau claims the attacks targeted critical sectors, highlighting escalating tensions between the world’s two largest economies amid ongoing trade conflicts.
According to Xinhua, the NSA allegedly launched cyberattacks against industries such as energy, transportation, water conservancy, communications, and national defense research in Heilongjiang province.
The Harbin police assert that these operations aimed with "the intention of sabotaging China's critical information infrastructure, causing social disorder, and stealing important confidential information," as reported by Reuters.
Specifically, the attacks reportedly exploited "pre-installed backdoors" in Microsoft Windows operating systems on devices in the region, with a focus on systems like the Games’ registration platform, which stored sensitive participant data.
In a rare move, Chinese authorities publicly identified three alleged NSA agents — Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson — as key perpetrators.
Xinhua reported that these individuals "repeatedly carried out cyber attacks on China's critical information infrastructure and participated in cyber attacks on Huawei and other enterprises."
Additionally, the University of California and Virginia Tech were named as being involved, though no specifics were provided on their roles.
The U.S. Embassy in China has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Xinhua claimed the NSA obscured its activities by purchasing IP addresses across multiple countries and renting anonymous servers in Europe and Asia.
The timing of the attacks, peaking during the Games’ opening events, suggests an intent to disrupt, with athletes’ personal data allegedly among the targets.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, urged the U.S. to "take a responsible attitude on the issue of cyber security and ... stop unprovoked smears and attacks on China."
These accusations emerge amid a tit-for-tat cyber conflict.
The U.S. has frequently accused Chinese state-backed hackers of targeting its infrastructure, with recent indictments against alleged Chinese operatives.
Beijing, denying involvement in overseas cyber espionage, has increasingly pointed fingers at the U.S., citing prior incidents like alleged attacks on Chinese tech firms in 2023.
As trade tensions intensify, these mutual accusations signal a growing battle for cyber dominance, with global ramifications.