China has for the first time publicly accused three hackers of working for the National Security Agency and offered a reward for information leading to their arrest, echoing tactics the U.S. routinely uses against alleged Chinese cyberspies.

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.

A report by the city of Harbin public security bureau said three NSA agents were involved, as well as the University of California and Virginia Tech, in the attacks, which took pl