An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit the Haixi Prefecture of Qinghai Province in northwest China at 6:32 AM on Saturday, according to China's earthquake monitoring network.

The quake occurred at 91.8 east longitude and 38.0 north latitude, said the network in a bulletin.

No casualties and damages have so far been reported.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2007)