AsianFin -- Foreign ownership of U.S. Treasurys reached an all-time high in July, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Treasury Department, driven by increased holdings from Japan and the United Kingdom.

Total foreign holdings climbed to $9.159 trillion in July, up from $9.126 trillion in June, marking the third consecutive month of record highs. Compared with the same period last year, foreign ownership of U.S. debt rose nearly 9%.

In contrast, China’s holdings fell to $730.7 billion, the lowest level since December 2008, when Chinese holdings stood at $727.4 billion. The decline highlights a continued trend of reduced Chinese investment in U.S. government debt, even as other major foreign holders expand their positions.

Japan and the U.K. remain the largest foreign holders of Treasurys, contributing to the surge in overall foreign ownership despite China’s retreat. Analysts note that these shifts reflect broader geopolitical and economic factors influencing global capital flows.