TAIPEI (AFP) - A moderate 5.9-magnitude earthquake jolted Taiwan early on Saturday morning, US seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake struck at 4.06am (4.06am Singapore time) about 25km east of Taitung City in the island's south-east, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The epicentre of the quake, which hit at a depth of 25km, was located about 110km east of Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-largest city and a major port hub, USGS said.

The island lies near the junction of two tectonic plates that is regularly hit by earthquakes.

A strong 6.3-magnitude quake which hit central Taiwan in June last year killed four people and caused landslides.

A 7.6-magnitude quake struck the island in September 1999 and killed around 2,400 people.