China has accused the United States National Security Agency (NSA) of orchestrating sophisticated cyberattacks targeting critical national infrastructure during the Asian Winter Games in February. The accusations were published by state media agency Xinhua on Tuesday, alongside details of an ongoing investigation conducted by police in Harbin, the capital of China’s northeastern Heilongjiang province.
The report alleges that the attacks specifically targeted essential sectors including energy, transportation, communications, national defense research, and utilities, with the aim of causing social disruption and stealing confidential data. According to the Harbin Public Security Bureau, three alleged NSA agents—Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson—have been placed on China’s wanted list.
Universities Implicated and Use of Global Server Networks
The investigation also accused the University of California and Virginia Tech of being linked to the attacks, though specific details about their involvement were not disclosed. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Xinhua’s report states that during the Winter Games, the NSA “activated specific pre-installed backdoors” in Microsoft Windows operating systems on devices located in Heilongjiang province. The agency allegedly used anonymous server networks by renting IP addresses across Europe and Asia to conceal the origins of the cyberattacks.
The attacks, which reportedly peaked on February 3—the day of the first ice hockey match—targeted information systems used for the event, including the athlete registration platform. Sensitive personal data of participating athletes was also compromised, according to Chinese authorities.
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Escalating Digital Cold War
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the allegations and said Beijing had formally raised its concerns with Washington. Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged the U.S. to stop “unprovoked smears and attacks on China” and adopt a responsible attitude on cybersecurity issues.
These developments come amid deepening tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Trade disputes, travel advisories, restrictions on cultural exports, and recent tit-for-tat cyber espionage accusations have compounded the deterioration in bilateral relations.
While China frequently denies involvement in cyberattacks abroad, this latest report marks one of its most detailed allegations against the United States. Beijing claims the NSA’s intent was to disrupt major national events, steal trade secrets, and compromise national security infrastructure.
Last month, the U.S. indicted a group of alleged Chinese hackers for cyber intrusions targeting several government entities, including the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and foreign ministries across Asia. China has consistently denied these allegations while ramping up its own claims of foreign surveillance against its domestic tech firms.
As digital warfare becomes an increasingly strategic front in global geopolitics, these reciprocal accusations signal a growing distrust between two nations vying for technological and informational dominance.
