The Chinese government has warned the U.S. that the government shutdown and prospect of Washington's first ever default were threatening the value of its U.S. investments.

In its first official reaction to the U.S. political stalemate over the budget and looming debt ceiling deadline later this month, Beijing said that "the clock is ticking" and urged politicians in Washington to "ensure the safety of the Chinese investments".

Zhu Guangyao, vice-finance minister, said at a media briefing that "as the two largest economies in the world, China and the U.S. are inseparable."

...China held $1.28tn in US treasuries in July 2013, according to U.S. Treasury data, although the true figure could well be higher than this since China also invests through intermediaries. Advisers to the People's Bank of China, the central bank, have been urging the authorities to diversify the holdings.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101091268