The Exchange Fund's foreign assets grew by $16.8 billion in June, bringing the total amount of foreign assets to $1.496 trillion, the Monetary Authority says.

The monetary base was $704.7 billion, comprising certificates of indebtedness, Government-issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the aggregate balance, and Exchange Fund bills and notes issued.

Foreign liabilities, representing mainly obligations under repurchase agreements, amounted to $400 million while claims on the private sector in Hong Kong stood at $112 billion.