WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is 'ineffective' in addressing rising tensions in the South China Sea, although the Philippines' strategy of publicizing its encounters with China in the disputed waters has generated international support for its cause, a US-based think tank said in an exclusive interview with The Manila Times.

Harrison Pretat, associate director and an associate fellow of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) based here, said that 'Asean has proven ineffective in addressing rising tensions in the South China Sea disputes in recent years due to an inability to achieve consensus among all 10 members.'