TAIPEI, Mar 9 (AP) -- A moderate earthquake shook central Taiwan on Thursday, the Central Weather Bureau said. No damage or injuries were immediately reported.

The 5.3 magnitude quake was centered 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) south of Kukeng in central Taiwan's Yunlin region, the weather bureau said.

Kukeng is about 170 kilometers (110 miles) southwest of the capital, Taipei.

Quakes frequently rattle Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage. However, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in central Taiwan in September 1999 killed more than 2,300 people.