US-China tech war intensifies once again

China has accused the United States of launching cyberattacks on its National Time Service Center, claiming that the breaches could have disrupted key infrastructure, including communication networks, power systems, financial services, and even the country’s standard time.

In a statement released on its official WeChat account, China’s State Security Ministry alleged that the US National Security Agency (NSA) had carried out long-term cyber operations targeting the time centre.

The ministry claimed it uncovered evidence showing that data theft and spying activities had been ongoing since 2022.

According to the statement, the NSA exploited a vulnerability in a foreign smartphone brand’s messaging service to hack into employees’ devices and access internal network systems.

Although China did not name the brand, it said the attack extended to attempts against the centre’s high-precision ground-based timing system between 2023 and 2024.

The National Time Service Center, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is responsible for generating, maintaining, and broadcasting China’s official time, a critical function for national security and global synchronisation.

The accusations mark the latest flashpoint in the escalating US-China cyber and tech rivalry. 

Both countries have frequently traded allegations of hacking and espionage, each branding the other as a primary cyber threat.