War Heats Up, US Citizens
Become Fugitives in China
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia –China has accused the US National Security Agency (NSA) of launching sophisticated cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February. The attacks targeted essential industries.
Police in Harbin, China, said three NSA agents suspected of being involved in the cyberattacks were on the wanted list. In addition, the University of California and Virginia Tech were said to be involved in the cyberattacks according to investigations reported by the Chinese government-backed media, Xinhua.
The three NSA agents who are fugitives from China are named Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson. The three were also identified as having carried out several cyberattacks on China’s critical information infrastructure, including being involved in cyberattacks on Huawei and other companies.
The report did not explain further how the two US universities were involved in the attacks. The US Embassy in China did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the attacks. It said Beijing had increased its attention to US efforts.
“We ask the US to be responsible in cybersecurity issues and stop attacking China,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, quoted by Reuters, Wednesday (4/16/2025).
This report emerged amid economic tensions between the US and China triggered by the US’s 145% tariff policy on China, which was then responded by Xi Jinping with a 125% tariff policy on the US.
“The NSA launched cyber attacks on key industries such as energy, transportation, water conservation, communications, and national defense research institutions in Heilongjiang province,” the Xinhua report said.
“These attacks aimed to sabotage China’s critical information infrastructure, cause social problems, and steal important and confidential information,” the report added.
US-China Accuse Each Other
Meanwhile, Washington routinely accuses China of being involved in cyber attacks on the US. Last month, the government accused Chinese hackers of targeting the US Defense Intelligence Agency, the US Department of Commerce, and several foreign ministries in Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Indonesia.
Beijing denies any involvement in international cyber espionage efforts.
After years of being accused by the US government of cyberattacks and espionage, several Chinese organizations and local governments have accused the US of similar efforts in the past two years.
In December, China said it had discovered two US cyberattacks targeting Chinese technology firms, which it said had led to the theft of confidential trade data since May 2023. It did not specify which agencies were involved.
SOURCE : CNBC INDONESIA
