An explosion at a Chinese food market, visited just days earlier by President Xi Jinping and during Lunar New Year celebrations, has caused an unknown number of casualties.

Details about the incident in the city of Shenyang in China's north-east Liaoning province on Sunday remain scarce, with authorities apparently suppressing any reporting.

Chinese social media has been scrubbed of any mention.

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The number of injuries and possible deaths remains unknown as does the cause of the explosion.

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Pan Wang, an associate professor in Chinese and Asian Studies at the University of New South Wales, said the suppression of information about the incident may not be permanent.

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Dr Wang said it was unsurprising that news of the weekend's incident was being censored regardless of whether the explosion was an accident or deliberate.

"The timing so soon after Xi's visit and during the New Year celebrations is key," she said.

"It's a big significant festival for all Chinese.

"It's supposed to be a harmonious time, stable, with food and happiness."

However, she said the authorities would be better off being honest and timely with the public about what happened.

"In the absence of information, misinformation and disinformation can be circulated which will likely run counter to the authorities' intention to control public opinion," she said.

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