(Yicai Global) Feb. 16 -- China’s holdings of US treasury bonds fell in December for the fifth straight month to the lowest in over 12-and-a half years.

China trimmed its holdings by USD3.1 billion to USD867.1 billion in December from the previous month, but remained the US’ second-largest creditor, data from the US Department of Treasury showed yesterday.

China’s holdings of US debt tumbled by USD173.2 billion in 2022 and have remained below USD1 trillion for eight months running.

Japan was still the top owner of US treasures in December, despite trimming its holdings by USD6 billion to USD1.07 trillion. Japan’s holdings of US debt narrowed USD224.5 billion in 2022.

Other major creditors, such as the UK, Belgium and Ireland, though, raised their holdings in December. Belgium, the fourth largest creditor, bought the most debt at USD21.4 billion, boosting its holdings to USD354.3 billion. While the Cayman Islands, the sixth biggest creditor, bought the smallest amount at USD300 million to increase its holdings to USD283.8 billion.

Editor: Kim Taylor