Background on the National Time Service Center (NTSC)
The National Time Service Center (NTSC) is a Chinese official body responsible for measuring and disseminating legal time across China. It coordinates timekeeping in various sectors, including computer servers, train stations, and power grids.
China’s Allegations Against the United States
In recent years, China has intensified its warnings about alleged foreign espionage activities amidst deteriorating relations with Washington and other Western powers. On Sunday, China accused the United States of conducting cyberattacks against the NTSC between 2022 and 2024, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of State Security on WeChat.
The ministry claimed to have “irrefutable evidence” of the National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States attempting to hack into China’s National Time Service Center.
Methods and Potential Impact of the Attacks
The ministry accused the NSA of exploiting vulnerabilities in a foreign mobile phone brand’s messaging service to steal login credentials from NTSC employees’ accounts. These cyberattacks could have jeopardized critical infrastructure, including power grids, transportation networks, and even space launches.
The Chinese Ministry of State Security further stated in its announcement, “In recent years, the United States has aggressively sought cyber hegemony, repeatedly trampling international rules in cyberspace.”
China’s Response and Recommendations for Citizens
The ministry urged Chinese citizens to remain vigilant against foreign cyberattacks and report any suspicious activities to authorities.
Contextualizing China’s Accusations
China’s accusations against the United States echo similar claims made by Western countries regarding alleged cyber espionage campaigns conducted by groups purportedly backed by China. These targets have included Chinese dissidents, democratic institutions, and companies in strategic sectors.
In 2021, the United States accused a Chinese state-sponsored hacker of infiltrating the U.S. Department of the Treasury. China, at that time, dismissed these accusations as “unfounded.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is the National Time Service Center (NTSC)? The NTSC is a Chinese official body responsible for measuring and disseminating legal time across China, coordinating timekeeping in various sectors.
- What are China’s allegations against the United States? China accuses the U.S. of conducting cyberattacks against the NTSC between 2022 and 2024, attempting to hack into China’s National Time Service Center.
- What methods did the U.S. allegedly use in these attacks? The Chinese ministry claims the U.S. exploited vulnerabilities in a foreign mobile phone brand’s messaging service to steal login credentials from NTSC employees’ accounts.
- What is the potential impact of these cyberattacks? The attacks could have jeopardized critical infrastructure, including power grids, transportation networks, and space launches.
- How has China responded to these allegations? The Chinese Ministry of State Security urged citizens to remain vigilant against foreign cyberattacks and report suspicious activities.
- What is the broader context of these accusations? These allegations fit a pattern of claims made by Western countries about cyber espionage campaigns allegedly backed by China, targeting dissidents, democratic institutions, and strategic sector companies.
