BEIJING — Chinese commercial banks reported net foreign exchange sales last month, following a settlement surplus in May, data from the country’s forex regulator showed on July 18.

Chinese lenders bought $142.3 billion worth of foreign currencies while selling $161.6 billion worth last month, resulting in net sales of $19.3 billion, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange said in a statement.

In the first half of the year, the banks recorded total net forex sales of $33.2 billion, the data showed.