The UK undertook the move, which has been seen as an act of provocation, in a bid to exercise freedom of navigation rights on the high seas.
Britain has been keen to increase its presence in the region as part of a “tilt” towards the Indo-Pacific area as part of the integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy announced this year.
HMS Queen Elizabeth itself remained near Guam and did not follow the same route, after months of deliberation by senior military chiefs and ministers.
If the aircraft carrier were to have followed suit – this would have been considered a much more aggressive move on Britain’s behalf.
A defence source told The Times: “There was considerable interest from the Chinese navy.
“All the interactions have been safe and professional and engagement over the radio was cordial.”