TAIPEI - A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan early Sunday, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The quake hit at 3:41 am (1941 GMT Saturday) and was centred 99 kilometres (60 miles) southeast of Suao, the USGS said. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Taiwan, which lies near the junction of two tectonic plates, is regularly shaken by earthquakes.

- AFP /ls