Exchange Fund foreign assets decreases HK$12.5 billion in Dec

The Exchange Fund, which backs the Hong Kong dollar, decreased by HK$12.5 billion to HK$3525.5 billion of its foreign assets in December, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority released on Wednesday.

The HKMA said that the monetary base, including certificates of indebtedness, government-issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund bills and notes issued, amounted to HK$2.04 trillion.

Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong totaled HK$388.1 billion and foreign liabilities amounted to HK$52.3 billion.