Beijing Accuses Washington of Attempting to Hack Vital Timing Systems

The Chinese authorities accused the United States today, Sunday, of attempting a cyber attack on the National Time Center systems in the city of Xi'an, which they described as a potential disaster for the country's critical infrastructure.

Details of the Attack

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security stated that the attacks targeted the center since March 2022 and continued for years, attributing their execution to the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA).
The statement indicated that the attacks began through a vulnerability in an encrypted messaging service for foreign smartphones, allowing hackers to access the devices of the center's employees and steal sensitive data, and then later infiltrate internal computer networks and precise timing systems.

Targeting Infrastructure

The Chinese investigation confirmed that the hacking attempts extended through 2023 and 2024 and focused on the high-precision ground timing system, which represents the backbone of the operation of electricity, communications, and financial systems in China, as well as coordination in research and security fields.
The ministry warned that any widespread breach of the system could lead to international timing disruptions and the disruption of vital services that rely on timing accuracy, including communication, energy, and financial networks.

The Importance of the National Time Center

The center is responsible for generating the official timing for China and ensuring synchronization of operations across all vital sectors. Despite the vastness of Chinese territory, the country relies on a single time zone, making the center crucial for all technical, economic, and scientific operations.

Lack of American Response

So far, no official American entity has commented on the Chinese accusations, including the U.S. Embassy in Beijing or the National Security Agency.