An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale hit the border area of China's southwest Chongqing municipality and Sichuan Province Monday evening, the China Earthquake Networks Center reported.

The quake happened at 9:32 PM (Beijing time). The epicenter was 29.4 degrees north latitude and 105.5 degrees east longitude with a depth of 10 km.

The epicenter was at the border area of Rongchang County of Chongqing and Longchang County of Sichuan, the center reported.

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2010)