(1)

In accordance with the Balance of Payments accounting rules, a positive value for the balance figure in the current account represents a surplus whereas a negative value represents a deficit. For the capital and financial account, a positive value indicates a net capital and financial inflow and a negative value indicates a net outflow. As increases in external assets are debit entries and decreases are credit entries, a negative value for net change in reserve assets represents a net increase and a positive value represents a net decrease.

(2)

The estimates on net change in reserve and non-reserve assets under the Balance of Payments framework are transaction figures. Effects from valuation changes (including price changes and exchange rate changes) and reclassifications are excluded.

(3)

In principle, the net sum of credit entries and debit entries is zero. In practice, discrepancies between the credit and debit entries may however occur for various reasons as the data are collected from many sources. Equality between the sum of credit entries and debit entries is brought about by the inclusion of a balancing item which reflects net errors and omissions.

(4)

Figures have been revised to incorporate the new data on destination consumption expenditure of incoming visitors and travellers released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in November 2003. For details, please refer to the feature article 'Statistics on Inbound Tourism' in the December 2003 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics.