Beijing Accuses NSA Agents of Launching Cyberattacks on China During the Asian Winter Games

Source: YouTube

Beijing is raising new alarms after Chinese police accused the United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) of launching “advanced” cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games held in Harbin last February. The allegations, published by state news agency Xinhua, claim that the attacks targeted key sectors including energy, communications, transportation, and even major tech companies like Huawei.

Cyberattacks on China Spark Diplomatic Tension

Chinese authorities say the cyberattacks were part of a deliberate U.S. effort to undermine national security and social stability. According to investigators, the NSA activated “pre-installed backdoors” in Microsoft Windows systems and used anonymous servers to mask its operations. The goal, Beijing alleges, was to sabotage China’s information infrastructure and extract sensitive data.

Three American nationals were publicly named: Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson — all allegedly linked to the NSA. These individuals are now on China’s wanted list. The report also mentioned the University of California and Virginia Tech as being indirectly connected, though it did not clarify their roles.

The U.S. Embassy in China has not issued a response, while the NSA remains silent. Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry has called on Washington to “act responsibly” and stop its alleged cyber operations, warning that further actions could escalate tensions between the two global powers.

A Mirror Image of Accusations

The accusations come just weeks after the U.S. announced criminal indictments against several Chinese nationals for hacking the Department of Commerce, Defense Intelligence Agency, and foreign ministries across Asia. Washington has long accused Beijing of supporting state-sponsored hacking campaigns, including industrial espionage and attacks on critical infrastructure.

Beijing’s latest move is seen by some analysts as an attempt to flip the narrative. By naming individual agents and detailing the timing of the cyberattacks — which allegedly peaked during the opening days of the Winter Games — China is putting public pressure on the U.S. to acknowledge and justify its surveillance practices.

Notably, Chinese state media claims the attacks compromised the event’s registration system and stored sensitive data on participants. The use of global IP addresses and overseas server rentals were allegedly part of the NSA’s plan to mask the origin of the operation. The targeted servers reportedly included locations in Europe and Asia.

Broader Trade War Implications

This latest development adds more strain to the ongoing U.S.-China trade war. Recent months have seen Chinese travel advisories to the U.S., a halt on American film imports, and tit-for-tat tech sanctions. The cyberattack accusations may further derail diplomatic backchannels just as trade talks were starting to regain momentum.

China’s decision to go public also reflects its growing confidence in pushing back against U.S. cyber policy. While Beijing has often denied its own involvement in global cyber espionage, it now appears willing to highlight similar U.S. behavior. Whether this leads to direct retaliation remains to be seen, but the timing — just days after renewed tariff threats from Washington — raises eyebrows.

With both sides accusing the other of cyber subversion, global businesses, infrastructure operators, and foreign governments may find themselves in the crossfire. Digital infrastructure has become the new battleground for geopolitical rivalry, and the risk of miscalculation is higher than ever.

Should the U.S. address China’s allegations of cyberattacks or remain silent? Tell us what you think!

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