Police in central China are searching for a vice mayor of a city who disappeared in late July, allegedly together two others.

Police are investigating Guo Yipin, 52, vice mayor of Luoyang City,Henan Province, a publicity official of the city told Xinhua on Monday.

Guo was elected vice mayor of Luoyang in February. He is in charge of the city's work safety, coal mining, environmental protection and transportation.

A search document posted on the Internet on Sunday said police are searching any possible hideouts of Guo and two others -- one a local real estate developer -- such as houses, yards and disused workshops.

Guo was leading a team to tackling the illegal tricycles in the city and demanded a meeting each day during the campaign. Since late July he has not been seen or heard of by other leading officials and the daily meeting he presided over has halted, said another official who declined to be named.