BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- A group of 87 military attaches, deputy military attaches and their wives in China from 44 countries started their visit to the country's southwest on Wednesday.

Invited by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, they will visit some military sites and institutions in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, and will be briefed about local economic and social development.

The Chinese defense ministry invites foreign military attaches to visit places other than Beijing each year, aiming to enhance their understanding about China's armed forces and other matters, and to cement the friendship between foreign military attaches and Chinese officers and soldiers.