Authorities in Harbin city have accused three U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) operatives of conducting sophisticated cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games held in February.
According to Chinese police, the cyberattacks targeted key sectors, including energy, transportation, communications, water resources, and national defense research institutions in Heilongjiang Province.
The three NSA agents have now been placed on a wanted list, and investigators have also linked the University of California and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to the cyber intrusions, though the specific nature of their involvement was not disclosed, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.
The report alleged that the NSA aimed to disrupt China’s critical information infrastructure, create social instability, and steal confidential data through the attacks.
Additionally, the NSA is accused of activating hidden backdoors in certain Microsoft Windows systems within the region as part of the operation.
This development unfolds amid escalating tensions and a continuing trade war between the United States and China, further straining their already complex diplomatic and cybersecurity relations.