Hong Kong's Exchange Fund foreign assets grew 3.5 billion Hong Kong dollars (449.29 million U.S. dollars) to 985 billion Hong Kong dollars (126.44 billion U.S. dollars) in December, Hong Kong Monetary Authority said Monday.

The monetary base, comprising certificates of indebtedness, Government-issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the aggregate balance of the banking system and exchange fund bills and notes issued, amounted to 298 billion Hong Kong dollars (38.25 billion U.S. dollars), according to the figure released by the authority.

The month saw private sector claims hit 52.5 billion Hong Kong dollars (6.74 billion U.S. dollars), while foreign liabilities, representing mainly obligations under repurchase agreements, were 200 million Hong Kong dollars (25.67 million U.S. dollars).

Source: Xinhua