A powerful earthquake that shook southwestern China did not appear to have caused major damage in the metropolis of Chengdu near its epicentre, state television reported on Monday.

A reporter for CCTV news in Chengdu said residents of the city had poured out onto the streets following the 7.5-magnitude quake but that public transport and electricity supplies remained operational.

Asked if anyone had been hurt in Chengdu, the reporter said: "All appears to be fine."

However, the quake appeared to have disrupted cellular telecommunications in the city, he added.

The quake struck 93 kilometres from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province and a major population centre with more than 10 million people, according to the US Geological Survey.

AFP