Two strong earthquakes have struck China's northwestern Qinghai province within 18 minutes, the China Earthquake Networks Centre says.
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake has struck Xinghai county at 11.16am local time (1316 AEST).
A second magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the same county 18 minutes later, according to CENC.
Both quakes had a focal depth of 10km and were located about 244 km from Xining, the capital of Qinghai.
Germany's GEOFON seismic monitoring network said the quakes had a shallow depth, which can increase the likelihood of stronger shaking near the epicentre.
There were no immediate reports of casualties, injuries or damage from Chinese authorities.