The Exchange Fund's foreign assets amounted to HKD $1.479 trillion ($191 billion) in May, HKD $81.6 billion ($10.53billion) up from April, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released on Monday.

The monetary base amounted to HKD $690.3 billion ($89.1 billion), 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.

Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to HKD $114.4 billion ($14.8 billion). Foreign liabilities, representing mainly obligations under repurchase agreements, amounted to HKD $400 million (51.6 million).

(HKD $1=USD $ 0.129026)