Paleontologists have unearthed fossils in China's "dinosaur city" of Zhucheng from a massive tyrannosaur that rivals the size of "Sue," the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever found.

The discovery includes a 1.21-meter-long thigh bone, a new record for the longest tyrannosaur femur ever found in Asia. A massive vertebra fossil measuring over 28 centimeters in width was also found, suggesting it came from a dinosaur that was over 12 meters long, similar in size to Sue.

"This dinosaur belongs to a new species we previously named, Zhuchengtyrannus magnus. It's the earliest tyrannosaur found in Zhucheng," said Chen Shuqing, head of publicity at Zhucheng's dinosaur research center.

While further research is needed to determine if the fossils belong to the local species of Zhuchengtyrannus magnus, their size provides new evidence for the long-debated hypothesis that North American tyrannosaurs, including T. rex, may have originated in Asia.

Located in eastern China's Shandong Province, Zhucheng has a reputation for its extensive dinosaur fossil finds, with researchers already identifying more than 10 new species.

(With input from Xinhua)