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Cyberterrorism

China Accuses US of Cyberattack on National Time Center

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

China's Ministry of State Security on Sunday alleged that the US National Security Agency carried out a cyberattack on its National Time Service Center, targeting the facility's sensitive information and timing systems. The alleged attack, which took place in 2022 and 2023, is said to have exploited vulnerabilities in the messaging services of a foreign mobile phone brand to steal sensitive information from devices of the center's staff. The ministry stated that the US agency used 42 types of "special cyberattack weapons" to target the center's internal network systems and attempted to infiltrate a key timing system.

Key Takeaways:

  • China's Ministry of State Security accused the US National Security Agency of carrying out a cyberattack on the National Time Service Center, alleging that the attack targeted the facility's sensitive information and timing systems.
  • The alleged attack, which took place in 2022 and 2023, is said to have exploited vulnerabilities in the messaging services of a foreign mobile phone brand to steal sensitive information from devices of the center's staff.
  • The US agency allegedly used 42 types of "special cyberattack weapons" to target the center's internal network systems and attempted to infiltrate a key timing system.
  • The National Time Service Center is responsible for generating and distributing China's standard time and providing timing services to industries such as communications, finance, power, transport, and defense.
  • The US Embassy did not immediately comment on the allegations.
  • China's Ministry of State Security stated that the US is accusing others of what it does itself, repeatedly hyping up claims about Chinese cyber threats.
  • The alleged cyberattack could fuel tensions between Washington and Beijing, on top of trade, technology, and Taiwan issues.

Statistics:

  • 42 types of "special cyberattack weapons" allegedly used by the US National Security Agency to target the National Time Service Center's internal network systems.

Sources:

  • AP (2025), "China Accuses US of Cyberattack on National Time Center"

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