A report released on Thursday by the China Institute for Marine Affairs, under the Ministry of Natural Resources, exposes alleged legal fallacies in the maritime delimitation plans between Japan and the Philippines. The report, titled "Legal Opinion on the Announcement by Japan and the Philippines on the Launch of Bilateral Maritime Delimitation," asserts that the proposed delimitation in the waters east of Taiwan Island violates international law. According to the Chinese think tank, the move infringes upon China's legitimate rights and interests, as the proposed boundaries substantially overlap with China's entitled exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The report claims the announcement was made without consulting China and ignores specific regional geographical circumstances. Consequently, the document characterizes the action as an internationally wrongful act and urges both Japan and the Philippines to cease their bilateral pursuits and engage in negotiations with China.