BEIJING, Oct 19 (Reuters) China has publicly accused the United States of orchestrating cyberattacks on its National Time Service Center, claiming that sensitive data and infrastructure could have been seriously compromised. Beijing warned that these alleged breaches posed risks to vital systems, including communication networks, financial operations, the power grid, and the international standard time.
The accusations, made by China’s Ministry of State Security, come amid rising tensions between the two nations over trade, technology, and cybersecurity.
Alleged U.S. Cyber Operations Targeting China
In a statement posted on its official WeChat account on Sunday, China’s State Security Ministry said the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) conducted cyber operations against the National Time Service Center over an extended period. According to the ministry, the cyberattacks included unauthorized access to the center’s internal systems, theft of data, and surveillance of personnel through their mobile devices.
The ministry detailed that the intrusions exploited vulnerabilities in messaging services from a foreign smartphone brand to infiltrate staff devices. Although the brand was not named, officials claim that the attacks began as early as 2022 and continued intermittently into 2023 and 2024.
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Scope of the Alleged Breaches
China’s National Time Service Center, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a key research institute responsible for generating, maintaining, and broadcasting China’s standard time. The ministry stressed that the U.S. attempts targeted not only administrative networks but also high-precision ground-based timing systems essential for coordinating critical infrastructure.
According to the report, stolen credentials and data allowed foreign intelligence operatives to monitor staff communications, potentially giving them access to sensitive operational information. The ministry expressed concern that such breaches, if successful, could disrupt multiple systems that rely on accurate timekeeping, including telecommunications, financial transactions, and energy distribution networks.
U.S. Response
The U.S. embassy in Beijing did not directly address China’s allegations but highlighted the ongoing threat posed by Chinese cyber actors. A spokesperson stated that China-based hackers have repeatedly compromised global and U.S. telecommunications providers to conduct extensive cyber espionage campaigns.
“China is the most active and persistent cyber threat to U.S. government, private-sector, and critical infrastructure networks,” the embassy spokesperson told Reuters. The statement reflected longstanding U.S. concerns about Chinese cyber activities, which Washington considers both extensive and sophisticated.
A History of Cyber Tensions
The accusations between China and the U.S. over cyberattacks are not new. Over the past decade, both nations have repeatedly accused each other of cyber espionage, often framing the other as the primary threat to national security. High-profile incidents have included alleged theft of trade secrets, intellectual property, and sensitive government data.
Cybersecurity experts note that while both sides regularly point fingers, confirming the source and scope of such attacks is often challenging. Attribution in cyber incidents is notoriously difficult, and both nations have substantial capabilities to launch and conceal cyber operations.
Strategic Implications
The alleged attacks on China’s National Time Service Center carry significant strategic implications. Accurate timekeeping is critical not only for scientific research but also for national security, finance, and infrastructure management. Disruptions to timing systems could cascade across multiple sectors, affecting everything from stock exchanges to power grids and satellite communications.
By publicly accusing the U.S., China appears to be signaling both a defensive posture and a warning. Analysts suggest that such statements may serve as leverage in broader geopolitical negotiations, particularly in technology and trade disputes.
Cybersecurity and Global Standards
The National Time Service Center’s role in maintaining China’s standard time also has international implications. Accurate time synchronization is essential for global financial systems, aviation, telecommunications, and digital networks. Any vulnerability or manipulation of time standards could undermine trust in these systems, with wide-reaching consequences.
Experts warn that cyberattacks targeting such infrastructure are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In addition to traditional hacking methods, attackers may exploit vulnerabilities in mobile devices, cloud systems, and IoT networks. This raises concerns not just for China and the U.S., but for global cyber resilience as well.
Escalating Trade and Technology Tensions
China’s accusations arrive at a sensitive time in bilateral relations. Trade tensions have intensified following China’s decision to expand export controls on rare earth elements, critical for manufacturing electronics, batteries, and military equipment. In response, the U.S. has threatened to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods, heightening economic friction.
Cybersecurity disputes often intersect with trade and technology conflicts. Analysts note that access to sensitive information, such as supply chain data or industrial designs, can provide significant strategic advantages in international competition.
The Broader Geopolitical Context
Beyond trade and technology, the cyber accusations reflect deeper geopolitical competition between China and the U.S. Both countries are investing heavily in cyber defense, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other advanced technologies. As these capabilities grow, so does the potential for cyber conflict to have real-world consequences.
Observers note that public accusations serve multiple purposes: signaling deterrence, rallying domestic support, and influencing international opinion. By highlighting alleged U.S. intrusions, China reinforces its narrative of protecting national sovereignty while emphasizing the seriousness of cyber threats.
What Experts Are Saying
Cybersecurity analysts caution that the situation underscores the need for robust global cybersecurity standards. While attribution remains challenging, attacks on infrastructure that underpins society—such as timing systems illustrate the vulnerabilities in even highly protected networks.
Experts also highlight the role of “soft targets” like mobile devices and messaging platforms. The alleged exploitation of a foreign smartphone messaging service aligns with a broader trend in which attackers leverage commonly used consumer technologies to gain access to critical systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did China accuse the U.S. of regarding cyberattacks?
China accused the United States of carrying out cyberattacks on its National Time Service Center, stealing data, and spying on staff devices. Officials claimed these breaches could have affected critical systems such as communications, power grids, and financial networks.
What is the National Time Service Center?
The National Time Service Center, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is responsible for generating, maintaining, and broadcasting China’s standard time. Its systems are crucial for telecommunications, finance, navigation, and other critical infrastructure.
How did the alleged cyberattacks occur?
According to China, the U.S. National Security Agency exploited vulnerabilities in a foreign smartphone messaging service to access staff devices and infiltrate the center’s internal networks. Attacks reportedly began in 2022 and continued into 2023 and 2024.
How did the U.S. respond to these accusations?
The U.S. embassy in Beijing did not directly respond to the allegations but emphasized that Chinese cyber actors have compromised U.S. and global networks. The embassy described China as a persistent cyber threat to government, private sector, and critical infrastructure systems.
Why is the National Time Service Center a strategic target?
Accurate timekeeping is essential for global financial transactions, power distribution, telecommunications, and satellite navigation. Breaches or disruptions at the center could have wide-reaching consequences for national and international systems.
How do these cyber accusations relate to U.S.-China trade tensions?
The accusations come amid heightened trade disputes, including China’s export controls on rare earth elements and U.S. threats to raise tariffs. Cyber espionage allegations are intertwined with broader concerns over technology access and national security.
What are the global implications of these cyber disputes?
The alleged attacks highlight vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure worldwide. They underscore the importance of international cybersecurity norms and cooperation to prevent disruptions to essential systems, from finance to communications and national security networks.
Conclusion
China’s allegations of U.S. cyber intrusions at the National Time Service Center highlight the growing stakes in global cybersecurity, technology, and international relations. The dispute underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, including communication networks, financial systems, and power grids, to cyber threats. While the U.S. has denied direct involvement, both nations continue to view each other as major cyber adversaries, reflecting broader tensions in trade and technology.