TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP/UNB) — China announced Tuesday that it is taking legal action against three individuals it accuses of being U.S. operatives involved in cyberattacks on Chinese infrastructure during the Asian Games held in Harbin in February.
According to a statement from Harbin police, the suspects — identified as Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson — allegedly carried out the attacks while working under the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). Authorities did not disclose how they obtained this information or the current whereabouts of the individuals.
The cyberattacks reportedly targeted core systems of the Games, including platforms used for registration, event participation, and travel logistics, which contained large amounts of sensitive personal data, police said.
The attacks persisted throughout the Games with the alleged intent to disrupt operations and undermine the event’s success, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
Xinhua also claimed the NSA's hacking extended beyond the Games, targeting vital infrastructure in Heilongjiang province — home to Harbin — including energy, transport, water, telecom services, and defense research institutions. Additionally, Chinese tech giant Huawei was said to have been among the targets.
The report further alleged that NSA operatives sent encrypted data packets to specific Microsoft Windows-based devices in the province.
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The motive behind targeting the Asian Games remains unclear, although observers speculate it could relate to a potential relaxation of China’s stringent internet controls during the international event.
Cyber tensions between the U.S. and China have persisted for years, with both nations accusing each other of cyber espionage. Washington has previously identified Chinese military-linked hackers and even issued wanted notices for some.
Just last month, the U.S. Justice Department announced joint efforts with other agencies to counter cyber threats posed by 12 Chinese nationals, including two law enforcement officials.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence recently labeled China as “the most active and persistent cyber threat” to American government systems, private enterprises, and critical infrastructure.