(Yicai) Feb. 19 -- China, the United States’ second-largest creditor, increased its holdings of US Treasury bonds for the second consecutive month in December.

China’s holdings of US Treasuries rose by USD34.3 billion to USD816.3 billion in December from the previous month, according to data released by the US Department of the Treasury on Feb. 15.

China cut its holdings for seven straight months until February last year, increased them slightly last March, and then cut them again for seven months between April and October last year.

Japan and the United Kingdom, the US’ largest and third-largest creditors, also increased their holdings of US Treasury bonds in December. Japan raised its holdings by USD10.7 billion to USD1.1382 trillion, and the UK hiked its stash by USD37.5 billion to USD753.7 billion.

The net foreign inflow into short- and long-term US securities and bank flows stood at USD139.8 billion in December, the data from the US Department of the Treasury also showed. The net inflow of private funds was USD94.1 billion, and the net outflow of official funds was USD45.8 billion.

Editor: Futura Costaglione