China announces legal action against 3 alleged U.S. operatives accused of cyberattacks on infrastructure during the 2025 Asian Games in Harbin.
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| China takes legal action against 3 U.S. operatives for cyberattacks on the Asian Games, alleging NSA involvement in disrupting critical infrastructure and targeting Huawei. Image: CH |
TAIPEI, Taiwan — April 15, 2025:
China has announced it is taking legal action against three individuals accused of conducting cyberattacks on Chinese infrastructure during the 2025 Asian Games in Harbin. The individuals—Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson—are allegedly operatives of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), according to a statement from local police released Tuesday.
The suspects are accused of targeting essential systems used during the Asian Games, including registration platforms, event participation tools, and travel logistics, all of which contained sensitive personal data. The attacks reportedly lasted throughout the event, disrupting operations and attempting to undermine the Games' success, as detailed by state-run Xinhua News Agency.
Xinhua further claims that the alleged cyberattacks extended beyond the Games, affecting critical infrastructure in Heilongjiang province, home to Harbin. The targeted sectors included energy, transport, water, telecommunications, and defense research institutions. Chinese tech giant Huawei was also reportedly among the targets of these attacks. The suspects are said to have used encrypted data packets sent to Microsoft Windows-based devices in the region.
Authorities have not disclosed how they obtained the information about the suspects or their current whereabouts. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
While the motive behind the attacks on the Asian Games remains unclear, analysts speculate that it could relate to a perceived opportunity to relax China’s stringent internet controls during such a prominent international event.
Cyber tensions between the U.S. and China have been ongoing for years, with both nations accusing each other of cyber espionage. Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice announced efforts to counter cyber threats posed by Chinese nationals, including law enforcement officials. Additionally, the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence has labeled China as "the most active and persistent cyber threat" against U.S. government systems and critical infrastructure.
The growing animosity and accusations surrounding cybersecurity threats continue to escalate, further straining relations between the two global powers.