东盟无法在南海问题上有所作为导致成员国政府和公民质疑该组织“维持和强化和平”的能力 — — 而这是东盟宪章开宗明义的第一目标。
ASEAN’s failure to act on the South China Sea issue is leading member-state governments and citizens to question the organization’s ability “to maintain and enhance peace” – the first purpose listed in its Charter.