At the end of July 2003, the Exchange Fund reported a $17.1 billion decrease in its foreign assets from a month earlier.

Foreign assets, representing the Exchange Fund's external assets, amounted to $824.7 billion, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

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 $253.1 billion. 

Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to $55.2 billion. Foreign liabilities, representing mainly obligations under repurchase agreements, amounted to $13 billion.