Beijing, Sep 18 (IANS): Three prosecutors in China's Shanxi province have been punished for receiving "luxurious entertainment" paid for by an entrepreneur, said the supreme procuratorate Wednesday.

Wen Xiaoping, deputy procurator general with the Shanxi Provincial People's Procuratorate, was caught when attending the "entertainment" with Chang Xiangdong and Li Shumin, two district prosecutors in Taiyuan city, Xinhua reported.

They were punished for violating discipline after the local agency investigated the case and confirmed their misconduct.

As senior officials, the three prosecutors openly violated party discipline and undermined the image of prosecutors at a time when the Communist Party of China leadership is pushing to end corruption - euphemistically called "harmful work styles".

Although the supreme procuratorate did not reveal the details of the case, a statement from the Shanxi provincial discipline inspection agency said last week that the three attended a feast Aug 7 with three other government officials and went to a club, singing karaoke in the company of hostesses.

All expenses were covered by an entrepreneur.

The supreme procuratorate, warning all prosecutors, said all prosecuting agencies should police their staff with a "zero tolerance" attitude and seriously punish those who misbehave.

"Once such a case is reported, it shall be investigated and those involved be punished. We shall not show mercy or cover up," it said.

Senior officials and those in charge should clean up their social and daily connections, it said in a statement.