A news report on Tuesday gave the names of three senior officials in Jilin province accused of accepting jobs at related businesses after their retirement.

The officials — Tian Xueren, former executive vice-provincial governor; Niu Haijun, former vice-provincial governor; and Jiao Zhengzhong, also a former vice-provincial governor — were hired at high salaries by local companies after leaving their public posts, according to the a report by China Economic Weekly.

The allegations, quoting anonymous sources, have not been confirmed by the local government.

The allegations were initially made public on June 8, when the Jilin provincial committee of the Communist Party of China said in a statement that three local officials had been found guilty of violating the relevant rules by being employed by companies after their retirement.

One has been already been punished for grave violation of the law and discipline, while the other two have resigned their posts in the companies, the statement said, without disclosing the officials' names.

According to China's current rules, government officials may not accept jobs with companies that have direct business with the officials'previous power sectors within three years of retirement.