Australia's defense forces, joined by New Zealand, have been monitoring Chinese navy vessels since they were spotted last week.

Airliners were over the Tasman Sea crossing between Australia and New Zealand when the Chinese navy warned they were flying over a secret live-fire exercise, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said on Friday.

China conducted naval drills between Australia and New Zealand over two days. China on Sunday dismissed Australia's allegations that it did not give adequate notice before conducting naval drills in international waters.

Australia Defense Minister Richard Marles said Saturday that China has not given a "satisfactory" answer for its warships reportedly firing into airspace off the Australian Coast, according to media reports.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has reiterated that China did not breach international law, despite growing concerns over three Chinese warships conducting potential live-fire drills off Australia's east coast on Friday.

Menzies Research Centre Senior Fellow Nick Cater says Defence Minister Richard Marles should be more “concerned” about three Chinese warships spotted 276 km off the coast of Sydney.

Australia has raised concerns with China over what it said was “unsafe and unprofessional” actions by a Chinese fighter jet towards an Australian maritime patrol in the South China Sea on Tuesday.

Defence Minister Richard Marles says Australian ships and aircraft are working "very closely" with New Zealand's military to monitor a Chinese naval task force transiting south off the east coast of Australia, with the opposition labelling Beijing's behaviour "provocative."

As Chinese military ships voyage near Australia, Australian Minister for Defense Richard Marles described it as an "unusual event," and said that the country is surveilling the foreign ships.

Australia accused China of inadequate notice for live-fire drills affecting flights between Australia and New Zealand. Defence Minister Richard Marles sought explanations for the short notice, as airlines including Qantas,

Australia said Saturday it has not received a satisfactory explanation from Beijing after Chinese warships off its east coast broadcast a "disconcerting" live-fire warning that forced commercial flights to change course.

The Australian and New Zealand militaries were monitoring three Chinese warships moving unusually far south along Australia’s east coast on an unknown mission, officials said yesterday. The Australian government a week ago said that the warships had traveled through Southeast Asia and the Coral Sea,