BEIJING — China's outstanding foreign debt stood at around $2.53 trillion at the end of March, data from the country's forex regulator shows.

The balance was $125.8 billion higher than that at the end of 2020, up 5 percent, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

China's external debt structure further improved in the first quarter of the year, said SAFE spokesperson Wang Chunying.

Foreign investors continue to increase their holdings of yuan-denominated bonds, which reflects the achievements of domestic bond market opening-up and investors' confidence in China's economic development, Wang said.