TAIPEI - TAIWANESE authorities say a moderate 5.1-magnitude earthquake has struck central Taiwan. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The Central Weather Bureau says the quake struck at 1.17am Thursday (1717 GMT Wednesday, 1.17am Singapore time). It was centred about 22.4km north-east of an earthquake recording station in the southern Taiwanese county of Chiayi.

Earthquakes frequently rattle Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage.

However, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people. And in 2006 a 6.7-magnitude tremor south of Kaohsiung severed undersea cables and disrupted telephone and Internet service to millions throughout Asia. -- AP