The latest data released by the U.S. Treasury Department on Monday shows that the total amount of U.S. Treasury securities held by foreign countries rose from $8.5034 trillion in August to $8.6729 trillion in September, the highest level on record and the fifth consecutive month of increase. China’s holdings of U.S. Treasury securities decreased by $3 billion to $772 billion in September, while Japan’s holdings decreased by $6 billion to $1.123 trillion in September.