The USS Theodore Roosevelt is on patrol near Taiwan (Image: GETTY)
The incident took place amid reported incursions into the airspace of neighbouring Taiwan. A source from US and allied intelligence told the FT the Chinese aircraft remained more than 250 nautical miles from the US carrier and accompanying warships.
Beijing regards Taiwan, formed by the losing anti-communist side of the 1927-49 Chinese civil war, as an integral part of its territory. However the island is an American ally and has been strengthening its ties with the US over the past few years. (Read More & Watch Video)
