If the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is serious about its transparency, it will have to do more than allow US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to tour its symbolic aircraft carrier, according to an opinion piece carried by the Diplomat.

"While certainly a milestone in allowing access to one of Beijing's most prized naval acquisitions in recent times, it actually shows how far China needs to go when it comes to being more transparent in all aspects of its military (this includes its budget, procurement, strategic doctrine etc)," the article noted.

"Although we should certainly applaud both sides’ efforts to create an atmosphere of greater transparency, there is still a long way to go - especially from the Chinese side."

China should make public more of its sophisticated weapon systems than just its sole symbolic carrier, which at this point is really no threat at all - it's more of a symbol of what is to come, the article said.

"Here is an idea: give a tour of the facilities or weapons that actually are driving the rise of China’s military. Don't show Secretary Hagel your one and only vulnerable carrier, show him the DF-21D, the actual carrier-killer."