China's far western region of Xinjiang has been struck with the strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake on Friday, the US Geological Survey said.
Remoted area of the Taklamakan desert at a depth of 10 kilometres has been named as the epicentre of the earthquake.
The magnitude toll has been risen to 6.5 by The China Earthquake Network Centre.
China, especially its southwestern part, has been experienced earthquakes on a regular basis. Last August saw a 6.1-magnitude earthquake, resulted in 600 deaths.
8,800 people were killed as a result of destructive earthquake in the neighbouring Nepal last April.