After $13.6 bln cut in US bonds, China still largest US creditor   

中國10月減持136億美元美債 仍為美國最大債主

(ECNS) – China reduced its US Treasury holdings by $13.6 billion in October, but remains the nation's top creditor, according to data released by the US Treasury Department on Monday.

The latest US Treasury data show China holds $1.2527 trillion of US government debt in October 2014, less than September's $1.2663 trillion. This drop marks the second month of reduction in a row.

Japan, the US's second-biggest creditor, slightly increased its holdings of US Treasury issuances from September's $1.2218 trillion to October's $1.2224 trillion.

The US's third-largest creditor, Belgium, cut their figure to October's $348.1 billion from September's $353.9 billion.

Meanwhile Russia's holdings of US government debt dropped from September's $117.7 billion to October's $108.9 billion.

Total US bond holdings by the main foreign creditors fell from September's $6.0664 trillion to October's $6.0589 trillion, but rose by $403.8 billion when compared to October last year.

Chinese officials explained that both decreases and increases in US bond holdings constitute normal market-oriented operations by the Chinese government and that the US treasury market remains important to China.