With The FBI warning Americans to protect their text messages against yet another cyber espianoge from China, the US media has once again began clutching their pearls in response to the Red Dragon’s ongoing cyber threat. It’s important to remember, however, that the US has launched plenty of its own cyber attacks and espianoge operations against China in an effort to win the ongoing cyber war. We are not falling behind, we just don’t report on those stories nearly as much as we do on stories about China being in the wrong.
That is not to say that we are not patriots here, go team USA, we just thought it would be fair to point out that Uncle Sam has his hands dirty too. It’s no secret that the US has launched its own cyber attacks and online spy networks against China. Here are just a few examples that are now public knowledge.
1. Operation SHOTGIANT
In 2014, documents leaked by Edward Snowden revealed details of a U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) operation called “SHOTGIANT.” The operation targeted Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications giant, to investigate alleged links between the company and the Chinese government.
The NSA reportedly infiltrated Huawei’s servers, accessing emails, source code, and other confidential information. The operation aimed to uncover potential security risks posed by Huawei’s equipment and gather intelligence on the company’s global operations. Additionally, it sought to use Huawei’s technology for surveillance in other countries.
Leaked NSA documents also disclosed U.S. surveillance efforts targeting high-ranking Chinese officials. Specific cyber activities allegedly focused on monitoring the communications of Chinese political and military leaders. These operations aimed to gain insight into Chinese strategic intentions, including policies on international trade, cybersecurity, and military activities.
3. PRISM Program
Though not China-specific, the NSA’s PRISM program, revealed in 2013 by Edward Snowden, allowed for the collection of data from major U.S. tech companies, such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. It has been reported that this data included information on foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens and organizations, for intelligence purposes. Snowden said that NSA had launched over 61,000 hacking operations worldwide, including several against Hong Kong and China.
4. Cyber Espionage in the South China Sea
The U.S. has reportedly used cyber capabilities to monitor Chinese activities in the South China Sea, a region of intense geopolitical competition. These operations have focused on gathering intelligence about China’s island-building projects, military deployments, and naval maneuvers.
While specific cyberattack incidents remain classified, cyber espionage in this region underscores the U.S.’s intent to counter Chinese influence and maintain strategic advantages.
5. Ongoing Espionage Against Chinese Universities and Research Institutions
Reports have suggested that U.S. cyber operations have targeted Chinese universities and research institutions engaged in advanced technology and military research. This activity aligns with broader efforts to monitor technological developments and understand China’s advancements in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and missile technology.
6. Hacking of Chinese Space and Satellite Programs
Concerns over China’s space ambitions have led to reports of U.S. cyber operations targeting Chinese satellite communications and space research, aiming to assess potential military applications.
It’s important to note that the U.S. government typically does not confirm specific cyber operations. The information above is based on publicly available sources and reports.
The American Centrist 
