An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale hit the area between Minxian, Lintan and Jone counties in northwest China's Gansu Province at 10:35 (Beijing Time) Thursday.

According to the Chinese seismological monitoring network, the epicenter of the quake, 150 kilometers south of Lanzhou, capital of Gansu, is located at 34.7 degrees north latitude, 103.9 degreeseast longitude.

Minxian County has a population of 440,000, and Lintan County 150,000, and Jone County 100,000.

No casualties had been reported by press time.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2003)