Update | Chuck Hagel kicks off China visit with rare glimpse of Liaoning aircraft carrier

US defence chief Chuck Hagel was given a rare tour of China's first aircraft carrier as he kicked off a three-day visit yesterday.

He became the first foreign official to go on board the Liaoning after arriving in the port city of Qingdao, getting a glimpse of Beijing's growing military strength and ambition.

Observers said the visit was a response to increasing concern in Washington about the lack of transparency surrounding China's military build-up. Hagel was invited to China by Defence Minister Chang Wanquan, but the inspection was arranged at Washington's request, said a senior US official.

Watch: Hagel arrives in China for a three-day trip

Hagel and a small number of his staff spent about two hours on the ship at Yuchi Naval Base, a US official said. Hagel received a briefing about the carrier and then toured its medical facilities, living quarters, flight deck, bridge, and flight control station. He also had refreshments with junior officers in the dining area.