China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) has accused the US National Security Agency (NSA) of conducting a multi-year cyberattack on the National Time Service Center, a key agency responsible for maintaining Beijing Time. The MSS claims the NSA infiltrated the center between March 2022 and June 2024, stealing state secrets and attempting cyber sabotage. The MSS alleges the attack targeted critical infrastructure, which could disrupt financial markets and logistics. According to the MSS, the NSA first exploited a vulnerability in foreign-made mobile phones of several staff members at the center, gaining access to sensitive data. The MSS claims the NSA used stolen passwords to breach the facility’s computer systems, deploying 42 distinct cyber tools and using virtual private servers based in the US, Europe, and Asia to mask their origin. The ministry accused the US of ‘aggressively pursuing cyber-hegemony’ and ‘repeatedly trampling on international norms governing cyberspace.’ This accusation comes amid a broader pattern of confrontation between China and the United States, which have also been locked in a trade war. Recent allegations suggest mutual accusations of cyber breaches and covert hacking operations continue to escalate tensions between the two powers.
The National Time Service Center (NTSC) serves as China’s official time authority, issuing and broadcasting ‘Beijing Time’ to key sectors including finance, energy, transport, and defense. A disruption to this critical piece of infrastructure could have caused widespread instability in financial markets, logistics and power supply, according to the MSS. The NTSC plays a crucial role in maintaining the synchronization of time across various industries, which is essential for the functioning of modern infrastructure. The potential for cyber sabotage in such a vital sector raises significant concerns about national security and economic stability.