China urges the US to be “responsible” with investors.

China is urging the United States to adopt more responsible measures to protect the interests of investors in U.S. Treasury bonds, said Hong Lei, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a press conference today.

"We hope that the U.S. government will adopt responsible policies to protect the interests of investors," Hong said.

The spokesperson's statements were in response to a question about Moody's decision to place the U.S.'s AAA credit rating under review for a possible downgrade, announced last night. The agency cited the growing possibility that the U.S. government's debt ceiling will not be raised in a timely manner, resulting in a default on U.S. Treasury obligations.

China remains the largest foreign investor in Treasuries, holding $1,153 trillion in bonds, despite having reduced its holdings in recent months.