BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan leaves here Sunday for official friendly visits to three Asian countries, namely Brunei, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

　　Cao is invited by the defense ministry of Brunei, Indonesian Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono and Saudi Arabian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, who is also the crown prince.