China has accused the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) of conducting cyberattacks against its National Time Service Center, claiming that such actions could have disrupted essential national infrastructure, including communications, finance, and power systems.

According to a statement released by China’s Ministry of State Security via its official WeChat account on Sunday, the NSA allegedly exploited software vulnerabilities in the messaging applications of an undisclosed foreign mobile phone manufacturer to extract sensitive information from the devices of the center’s personnel in 2022.

The ministry further alleged that between 2023 and 2024, the NSA deployed 42 specialized cyberattack tools to infiltrate multiple internal networks of the center, and even attempted to compromise a critical timing system. However, while the ministry claimed to possess supporting evidence, no technical details or proof were provided publicly.

China’s National Time Service Center is tasked with producing and distributing the nation’s standard time, a key service supporting various sectors including telecommunications, finance, transportation, defense, and energy. Authorities said that risk mitigation measures have since been implemented to secure the facility.

In its statement, the ministry criticized Washington, asserting that the United States “accuses others of exactly what it does itself” and continues to amplify claims about so-called Chinese cyber threats.

These allegations come amid heightened U.S.–China tensions, already strained over trade policies, technological rivalry, and Taiwan. Western governments have in recent years accused China-linked hacking groups of targeting officials, journalists, and corporations.

As of publication time, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing has not issued a response to the accusations.