The China Earthquake Networks Centre said the quake had taken place at 2.28am, with its magnitude measured at 4.1.

The epicenter was located near 22.51N, 115.04E, approximately 92 kilometres east-northeast of Hong Kong. The quake struck at a depth of 2.5 km, according to the CENC.

The Hong Kong Observatory said it received some 8,000 reports from local residents who felt tremors from the earthquake.

Locals reported the jolts as “minor shaking” that lasted for a few seconds, with some also describing the tremor as if someone is giving their chairs or beds a good shake.

Earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 on the Richter scale typically cause “noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling noises” but generally lead to little or no damage, although some objects may fall off shelves or be knocked over.