New Delhi, Feb. 21 -- Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles on Friday said planes flying over the Tasman Sea crossing between Australia and New Zealand were issued 'disconcerting' warning by the Chinese navy, saying they were flying over a secret live-fire exercise.

Marles also said that Australian authorities only learned about China's live-firing plans in international waters midway between Australia and New Zealand from the airlines.

Earlier, Australia's aviation regulator had warned the airlines of a potential risk as three Chinese warships conducted exercises off the Australian east coast.

"To be clear, we weren't notified by China," Marles told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio in Perth.

"What China did was put out a noti...