China, the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasurys, reduced its holdings for the fifth consecutive month in October, U.S. Treasury data showed Dec. 17.

In October, China held $1.139 trillion of U.S. government debt, the lowest level since May 2017. It was down from $1.151 trillion in September.

Japan, the second-largest foreign investor in U.S. Treasurys after China, also reduced its holdings in October to $1.019 trillion from $1.028 trillion in September.

Total foreign holdings in October fell to $6.200 trillion from $6.225 trillion in September, U.S. Treasury data showed.