China Accuses U.S. of Cyberattacks During Asian Winter Games, Names Alleged NSA Agents
China has escalated its cyberwarfare allegations against the United States by accusing the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) of launching sophisticated cyberattacks during the 2025 Asian Winter Games held in Harbin. The attacks reportedly targeted critical infrastructure, including defense, energy, and transport systems across Heilongjiang province, as well as the digital registration systems used for the games, compromising sensitive data of participants and officials.
In an unusually direct move, Chinese authorities have publicly named three individuals—Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson—as NSA operatives allegedly behind the cyber offensive. Arrest warrants have been issued against them, marking a rare case of direct identification and accusation of foreign intelligence agents by Beijing.
Chinese investigators claim that the cyberattacks used highly advanced techniques, including exploiting pre-installed backdoors in Microsoft Windows systems. The operation was allegedly routed through overseas servers to disguise its American origin. China further accused academic institutions such as the University of California and Virginia Tech of being indirectly involved, though it stopped short of providing detailed evidence regarding their roles.
The accusations add a new layer of tension to already strained U.S.-China relations, especially in the realm of cybersecurity and digital sovereignty. Both countries have repeatedly accused each other of cyber espionage in recent years, with allegations ranging from intellectual property theft to state-sponsored surveillance.
As of now, the U.S. government has not issued any official response to the allegations. The situation is expected to draw global attention, especially from international cybersecurity watchdogs, as it raises concerns about the militarization of cyber tools and the safety of international sporting and diplomatic events in a digitally vulnerable era.
