China Reclaims Spot As No. 1 Holder Of Treasurys After 8-month Hiatus

China overtook Japan as the top holder of Treasurys in June, according to the Treasury International Capital report. The last time China was the top holder was back in last October. China's holdings of U.S. government paper rose to $1.147 trillion, up more than $44 billion from the previous month. Japan's holdings slipped $20.5 billion to $1.09 trillion. The report comes amid the yuan's strengthening in the past three months against the greenback. The dollar bought 6.68 yuan on Tuesday, compared with 6.90 yuan back in May. The yuan has been supported by efforts of the People's Bank of China, its central bank, to beat off currency speculators. A steadying economy and attempts to stem capital flight have helped to prop up the yuan, too. A strengthening currency and growing exports can lead to a rapid accumulation of Treasurys.