A strong earthquake has shaken a remote area of far-western China, but there are no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.5 and struck Friday evening in western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It said it was centered near the border with Tajikistan and was quite shallow, at a depth of 12 kilometers (7.5 miles).

Shallow earthquakes are more likely to cause damage in populated urban areas, but the region is largely rural.

China's earthquake monitoring agency said the quake occurred in Akto county in Kizilsu Khirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang.