By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Foreign buyers of U.S. Treasury securities increased their holdings in June, topping $6 trillion for the first time.

The Treasury Department reports that total foreign holdings rose 0.6 percent to $6.01 trillion, up from $5.98 trillion in May.

The increase came despite the fact that the two biggest foreign owners of Treasury securities reduced their holdings slightly.

China, the top foreign buyer of U.S. Treasury debt, trimmed its holdings by 0.2 percent to $1.27 trillion after a 0.6 percent increase in May. Japan, the second-biggest foreign buyer, saw its holdings slip a slight $600 million to $1.22 trillion.

Belgium, Brazil and Taiwan were among the countries increasing their holdings.

Foreign demand for Treasury debt is expected to remain strong this year.