The Ministry of State Security alleged in a recent WeChat post that a U.S. agency exploited vulnerabilities in the messaging services of a foreign mobile phone brand to steal sensitive information. According to the post, this targeting occurred in 2022 and aimed at devices used by staff at the National Time Service Center. However, the ministry did not specify the brand involved.
In addition, the ministry claimed that the U.S. agency deployed 42 types of “special cyberattack weapons” to target multiple internal network systems of the center. Between 2023 and 2024, there was reportedly an attempt to infiltrate a key timing system. Although the ministry stated it had evidence to support these allegations, no such evidence was provided in the post.
The National Time Service Center is responsible for generating and distributing China’s standard time. It also provides crucial timing services to various industries, including communications, finance, power, transport, and defense.
The ministry said it had already provided guidance to the center to help eliminate these cybersecurity risks. It also accused the U.S. of a pattern of behavior, stating: “The U.S. is accusing others of what it does itself, repeatedly hyping up claims about Chinese cyber threats.”
In recent years, Western governments have alleged that hackers linked to the Chinese government have targeted officials, journalists, corporations, and others. This latest statement from the Ministry of State Security is likely to increase tensions between Washington and Beijing, which are already strained over trade, technology, and Taiwan issues.
The U.S. Embassy did not immediately comment on the allegations.
https://fortune.com/2025/10/19/china-us-national-security-agency-special-cyberattack-weapons-national-time-center/