Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the importance of accurate timekeeping in modern society, highlighting that the official time in China originates from the National Time Service Center in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, and emphasizes the implications of time accuracy for various sectors, including finance and national security [8][10][44]. Group 1: Timekeeping and Its Importance - The unified and precise Beijing time is crucial for the functioning of society, as it serves as the foundation for various systems [8][10]. - The National Time Service Center has been under cyberattacks from the United States for nearly two years, indicating the strategic importance of time management [9][10]. - Accurate time is essential for high-precision fields such as aerospace, satellite navigation, and financial transactions, where even a slight error can lead to significant consequences [18][38]. Group 2: Mechanisms of Timekeeping - The National Time Service Center employs two main methods for time dissemination: ground-based and space-based systems [26][27]. - Ground-based time dissemination includes shortwave radio broadcasts and low-frequency time code signals, achieving millisecond to microsecond accuracy across the country [28][30][39]. - Space-based time dissemination relies on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS and BeiDou, which provide time signals with nanosecond precision [34][36]. Group 3: Implications for Various Sectors - In finance, accurate time signals are critical for transactions, as they follow a "price priority, time priority" principle, where the speed of order execution can determine success or failure [39][40]. - Regulatory bodies in the EU and the US require financial institutions to synchronize their systems with standard time, emphasizing the need for precision in timekeeping [43]. - The military also relies on precise time coordination for operations, where discrepancies can lead to confusion and loss of control [43][44].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese Academy of Sciences National Time Service Center has become a target for U.S. cyberattacks, which aim to steal sensitive data and compromise its operations [2][3][6]. Group 1: Cyberattack Details - The U.S. has conducted long-term, high-intensity infiltration attacks on the National Time Service Center, utilizing advanced espionage tools [2][3]. - Starting in 2022, the U.S. exploited vulnerabilities in foreign mobile phone services to gain control over the phones of multiple staff members, allowing for the theft of sensitive information [2][3]. - From August 2023 to June 2024, the U.S. deployed a new network warfare platform, using 42 specialized cyberattack tools to target various internal systems of the National Time Service Center [3][6]. Group 2: Importance of the National Time Service Center - The National Time Service Center, originally established in 1966, is responsible for generating and broadcasting the national standard time, which is crucial for the functioning of various sectors including finance, telecommunications, and scientific research [4][5]. - The precision of national standard time is vital; even a millisecond discrepancy can lead to significant operational failures, such as widespread power outages or substantial financial losses in stock trading [4][5]. Group 3: International Standing and Developments - China's share in the international standard time calculation has increased from 5.66% in 2021 to 19.51%, positioning it as the second highest globally [5]. - The National Time Service Center is currently developing a high-precision ground-based timing system to enhance the security, reliability, and accuracy of its timing services [5]. Group 4: Nature of Cyber Threats - The cyberattacks are characterized as Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), which are systematic and strategic actions aimed at monitoring and potentially disrupting critical infrastructure in other countries [6][7]. - The U.S. employs various techniques, including the use of "jump servers" located in different regions, to obscure the source of attacks and enhance the effectiveness of their cyber operations [6][7].