China accuses US of launching 'advanced' cyberattacks

BEIJING, Apr 15 (Reuters): China accused the United States National Security Agency (NSA) on Tuesday of launching "advanced" cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February, targeting essential industries.

Police in the northeastern city of Harbin said three alleged NSA agents to a wanted list and also accused the University of California and Virginia Tech of being involved in the attacks after carrying out investigations, according to a report by state news agency Xinhua on Tuesday.

The NSA agents were identified by Xinhua as Katheryn A Wilson, Robert J Snelling and Stephen W Johnson. The three were also found to have "repeatedly carried out cyber attacks on China's critical information infrastructure and participated in cyber attacks on Huawei and other enterprises."

It did not specify how the two American universities were involved. The US Embassy in China did not respond to an emailed request for comment. China's foreign ministry later confirmed the attacks and said Beijing had raised its concerns with the United States.

"We urge the US to take a responsible attitude on the issue of cyber security and ... stop unprovoked smears and attacks on China," ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing.