WASHINGTON - China increased its holding of US Treasury securities in August, while Japan cut its share.

China's holdings of the treasuries rose by $1.7 billion to $1.2705 trillion in August, the latest data from the Treasury Department showed Friday.

Japan, the second largest foreign holder of US treasuries, cut its holding by $3.8 billion to $1.197 trillion in August.

In August, overall foreign holdings of US Treasury securities fell to $6.0987 trillion from July's $6.1165 trillion.