China bought less U.S. Treasury debt in October, the lowest level of this year, according to a report the U.S. Treasury Department released Thursday, Chinanews.com reported.

Nevertheless, China remains the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities.

China bought 1.2 percent less to bring its total holdings to US$1.1341 trillion in October. China had increased its holdings 1 percent in September after it divested US$36.5 billion of its net holdings in August, based on the statistics.

Japan, the second-largest buyer of U.S. Treasury debt, increased its holdings by 2.3 percent in October to US$979 billion. Britain, the third-largest holder, cut its holdings 3.1 percent to US$408.4 billion, according to the report.

China's business press carried the story above on Friday.