Chen Chenzhao, deputy head of the China National Audit Office, attends a press conference in Beijing, Sept 17. [Photo/china.org.cn]?

A pilot plan to audit outgoing leading officials' natural resources/assets accountability is to be launched, according to an official from the China National Audit Office (CNAO).

The plan has been drafted by the CNAO and other relevant departments, Chen Chenzhao, deputy head of the body, said on Thursday.

The decision, adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China last year, stated that an audit of outgoing leading officials' natural resources/assets accountability should be conducted as an important reform measure to promote ecological progress, said Chen.

"The audit is a completely new task with no established experiences for reference", he said. "The CNAO carried out thorough surveys and research in order to implement the audit."

The main objects of the pilot audit are leading Party officials and local governments at various levels, with key areas covering land, water and forest resources, the ecological management of mines together with the prevention and control of air pollution.