China, the largest foreign lender to the United States, held $1.73 trillion in US securities by June 30, 2011, according to the annual report issued by the Treasury Department.

Japan maintained its place as the US' second-largest lender, with $1.59 trillion in US securities.

Total foreign holdings of US securities were $12.4 trillion at the end of June last year, according to the report.

China Daily - Agencies