In a significant escalation of tensions between the United States and China, police in Harbin, a northeastern Chinese city, have accused the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) of orchestrating “advanced” cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February 2025. The allegations, detailed in a report by China’s state news agency Xinhua on April 15, 2025, claim the attacks targeted critical industries in Heilongjiang province, including energy, transportation, water conservancy, communications, and national defense research institutions. This development comes amid an intensifying trade war between the world’s two largest economies, further straining bilateral relations.
Alleged NSA Cyberattacks and Targets
According to the Harbin city public security bureau, the NSA’s cyberattacks were strategically timed during the Asian Winter Games, a high-profile international event. The attacks allegedly aimed to sabotage China’s critical information infrastructure, disrupt social stability, and steal sensitive confidential data. Xinhua reported that the NSA exploited “specific pre-installed backdoors” in Microsoft Windows operating systems on targeted devices in Heilongjiang, enabling the attacks.
The report further claimed that the cyberattacks extended beyond public infrastructure to private enterprises, with Chinese tech giant Huawei among the alleged targets. This accusation aligns with previous Chinese claims of U.S. cyberattacks on its technology firms, including two incidents since May 2023 aimed at stealing trade secrets, though those did not explicitly name the NSA.
Suspected Individuals and U.S. Institutions
Harbin authorities have added three alleged NSA agents to a wanted list, accusing them of repeatedly conducting cyberattacks on China’s critical infrastructure and private companies. The Xinhua report named the individuals but provided no further details on their identities or specific roles in the alleged operations.
In a surprising twist, the report also implicated two prominent U.S. academic institutions—the University of California and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)—in the cyberattacks. Chinese authorities claim these universities were involved following investigations, though no evidence or specific roles were detailed in the report. This marks a rare instance of academic institutions being publicly linked to state-sponsored cyberattacks.
U.S. Response and Context
The U.S. Embassy in China did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the allegations. The NSA, which has faced accusations of global cyber-espionage in the past, has not issued a public statement regarding the Harbin claims. The lack of an immediate U.S. response leaves the accusations unaddressed, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the incident.
The allegations emerge against the backdrop of a deepening U.S.-China trade war, which has already led to travel warnings for Chinese tourists visiting the U.S. and a halt on imports of American films into China. Cybersecurity has become a contentious issue in this rivalry, with both nations accusing each other of state-backed hacking. The U.S. has frequently pointed to Chinese hackers targeting its critical infrastructure, government agencies, and private sectors. In March 2025, Washington indicted several alleged Chinese hackers for attacks on the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, the Department of Commerce, and foreign ministries of Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Indonesia.
China’s Counter-Narrative
Beijing has consistently denied involvement in overseas cyber-espionage and has increasingly pushed back against Western accusations by highlighting alleged U.S. cyberattacks. Over the past two years, Chinese organizations and government bodies have accused the U.S. and its allies of conducting similar cyberattacks and industrial espionage. The Harbin accusations build on this narrative, portraying the U.S. as an aggressor in cyberspace.
In December 2024, China claimed to have thwarted two U.S. cyberattacks on Chinese tech firms since May 2023, aimed at stealing trade secrets. While those incidents did not specify the responsible U.S. agency, the Harbin report’s explicit naming of the NSA represents a bolder stance.
Implications for U.S.-China Relations
The Harbin accusations are likely to further complicate U.S.-China relations, particularly in the realms of technology and cybersecurity. By publicly naming the NSA, specific individuals, and U.S. academic institutions, China appears to be signaling its willingness to confront the U.S. directly on cyber issues. The inclusion of universities in the allegations could also strain academic and research collaborations between the two nations.
As both countries continue to accuse each other of cyberattacks, the lack of a transparent international framework for addressing cyber conflicts exacerbates tensions. The Harbin claims, if substantiated, could prompt retaliatory measures from China, such as sanctions or further restrictions on U.S. technology firms operating in the country.
Summa Sumarus
The allegations from Harbin mark a significant escalation in the ongoing cyber rivalry between the U.S. and China. By accusing the NSA of targeting critical infrastructure during a major international event, China is framing the U.S. as a direct threat to its national security and economic stability. With no immediate U.S. response and limited public evidence, the truth behind these claims remains unclear. However, the accusations underscore the growing role of cybersecurity in U.S.-China relations and the potential for further conflict in an already strained geopolitical landscape. As both nations navigate this digital battleground, the international community will be closely watching for developments that could reshape global cyber norms and bilateral ties.
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