Qiqihar city in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, which borders Russia's far east, reported that several objects appeared to have fallen from the sky on Friday, the Xinhua news agency said.
After analysis, experts have concluded they were "parts from a carrier rocket or a satellite", Xinhua said yesterday, citing the China National Space Administration.
Authorities were communicating on the issue "with relevant parties", it added.
The report came after Russia's space officials said the Proton rocket's control engine failed Friday just over nine minutes following blastoff from the Baikonur space centre Moscow leases in Kazakhstan - the latest blow to the country's once-proud space industry.
The USD 205-million satellite - built by Airbus Group's Astrium corporation - was meant to provide Internet access to far-flung Russian regions with poor access to communication.