China Accuses US of Cyber Breaches Targeting National Time Center
China has leveled serious accusations against the United States, claiming that it has conducted cyber intrusions targeting China’s National Time Service Center. These incursions allegedly jeopardized several critical sectors, including communication networks, financial systems, and the integrity of international standard time.
Details of the Cyber Breaches
According to a statement from China’s State Security Ministry, the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has been involved in a long-term cyber operation against the National Time Service Center. The ministry’s findings indicate that evidence of data theft dates back to 2022.
Infiltration Methods
The Chinese authorities reported that the NSA utilized an exploited vulnerability in a foreign smartphone brand’s messaging service to surveillance staff mobile devices and network systems. However, the specific smartphone brand was not disclosed.
Recent Developments
- China claims that the U.S. attempted to breach internal network systems of the National Time Service Center in 2023 and 2024.
- The center operates under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, overseeing the generation and broadcasting of China’s standard time.
U.S. Response
While the U.S. embassy in Beijing did not comment specifically on the accusations, it pointed out that cyber actors from China have infiltrated major U.S. and international telecommunications networks to conduct significant cyber espionage activities. A spokesperson claimed that China is a persistent cyber threat to various sectors within the United States.
Ongoing Tensions
The exchange of accusations over cyber activities between China and the U.S. has intensified, with both nations portraying each other as major threats. These latest claims arise against a backdrop of heightened trade tensions, particularly concerning China’s recent export controls on rare earth materials and the U.S. considering higher tariffs on Chinese goods.
As these geopolitical tensions unfold, the implications of the cyber breaches could have far-reaching effects on both nations’ security and economic interests.
