Foreign acquisitions of long-term U.S. securities have seen a sharp decline this year, data from the country's Department of the Treasury indicated on Thursday, possibly signaling a shift in confidence among global investors. The data for 2024 was reported by the department's Treasury International Capital (TIC) system, which tracks flows of capital into and out of the country.
May saw a net TIC inflow of 15.8 billion U.S. dollars for all net foreign acquisitions of long-term, short-term U.S. securities and banking flows.
In breakdown, net foreign private inflows were 7.3 billion U.S. dollars, and net foreign official inflows were 8.6 billion U.S. dollars.
Foreign residents decreased their holdings of long-term U.S. securities in May with their net sales reaching 16.7 billion U.S. dollars. Net sales by private foreign investors were 17.7 billion U.S. dollars, while net purchases by foreign official institutions were one billion U.S. dollars.
U.S. residents increased their holdings of long-term foreign securities, with net purchases of 37.8 billion U.S. dollars.
After including adjustments such as estimated foreign portfolio acquisitions of U.S. stocks through stock swaps, overall net foreign sales of long-term securities are estimated to have reached 54.6 billion U.S. dollars in May.
Foreign residents also decreased their holdings of U.S. Treasury bills by 9.8 billion U.S. dollars, with their holdings of all dollar-denominated short-term U.S. securities and other custody liabilities increasing by 4.7 billion U.S. dollars.
U.S. banks' own net dollar-denominated liabilities to foreign residents increased by 65.7 billion U.S. dollars.
Foreign holdings of long-term US securities sharply decrease
Foreign holdings of long-term US securities sharply decrease
A welcoming ceremony for two Chinese giant pandas was held on Wednesday at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, one of the world's oldest zoos, marking the official start of their decade-long stay in Austria for scientific research and as ambassadors of friendship.
The pandas, male He Feng and female Lan Yun, arrived in Austria on April 23.
Addressing the welcoming ceremony, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen highlighted that giant pandas are a symbol of the strong friendship between Austria and China.
"Cooperations like these create trust. They bring nations closer together. We shouldn't underestimate the impact of these seemingly small occasions, despite all the differences that may exist. And the giant pandas are a symbol of the Chinese-Austrian [partnership]," said the president.
Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, who led a delegation to Austria from Sunday to Wednesday, also attended the welcoming ceremony.
"Like ambassadors, they will become mascots of friendship between the two countries and their peoples. The giant panda is a national treasure of China, a jewel in the diversity of the earth's species and a precious treasure of ecological civilization," Li said.
As part of the ceremony, the Schoenbrunn Zoo staged a traditional Chinese lion dance performance to celebrate the pandas' arrival, to the cheers of visitors. Among the crowds were dozens of local school children holding signs reading "warmly welcome" to demonstrate their love for the Chinese giant panda.
"It's a very nice moment today to welcome the bears in Austria in Tiergarten Schoenbrunn," said Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in an interview with the China Global Television Network.
The panda pair's arrival marks the latest 10-year round of the scientific collaboration between China and Austria on giant panda conservation, which started in 2003.
The past years of cooperation saw the birth of five panda cubs in Austria, a record for Europe on breeding, alongside achievements made in disease control, staff training and public education.
Panda pair debuts at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, receiving warm welcome
