An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale hit Luhuo County in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 5:02 p.m. Beijing Time Sunday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The epicenter was monitored at 31.3 degrees north latitude and 100.9 degrees east longitude with a depth of about 7 kilometers, the center said.

Local officials said they had felt the quake strongly but so far no casualties had been reported.

"The quake lasted for about 40 to 50 seconds, the tables and chairs in the room were shaking violently," said Deng Min, a government official of Luhuo County.

Deng said the telecommunication had been affected for just a few minutes, and it had now resumed normal operation.