Authorities in China's Heilongjiang province have issued a wanted notice for three individuals allegedly linked to the United States National Security Agency (NSA) in connection with a cyberattack. The announcement was made by the public security bureau in Harbin, the provincial capital, and centers on accusations related to the Asian Winter Games held in February this year.

According to the bureau, the cyberattack was aimed at disrupting the international sporting event, which took place in Harbin. Officials claim the breach was part of a broader campaign attributed to the NSA targeting key Chinese infrastructure in the region.

In addition to the alleged attempt to sabotage the games, Chinese authorities accuse the NSA of launching cyberattacks against critical defense and research facilities in northeastern China. Multinational corporations, including tech giant Huawei, were also reportedly among the targets of these operations.

The wanted notice marks a significant escalation in the ongoing cyber and intelligence tensions between the United States and China. Beijing has increasingly vocalized concerns over American cyber operations, which it claims threaten national security and sovereignty.

Heilongjiang officials have not publicly named the three operatives, but stated that they are actively seeking international cooperation to locate and detain the suspects. The move adds another layer of strain to already tense US-China relations, particularly in the realms of cybersecurity and intelligence gathering.

As of now, Washington has not issued a formal response to the accusations. The incident is expected to further fuel diplomatic friction, especially amid ongoing discussions on global cyber norms and mutual state accountability in cyberspace.