Exchange Fund foreign assets fell $23.7 billion in March to $878.7 billion, the Monetary Authority says.

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, stood at $286.5 billion.

Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong reached $76.8 billion. Foreign liabilities, representing mainly obligations under repurchase agreements, amounted to $1.4 billion.