The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) hoped to realize the goal of an ASEAN single market by 2015, but external evaluations of this goal have differed. Some believe that the AEC can make ASEAN one of the world's leading production bases and markets and substantially raise the region's economic level, while others argue that ASEAN's mechanisms are weak, member states' identification with ASEAN is low, resources needed for integration are insufficient, intra-regional differences are too large, and major powers are all eyeing ASEAN's potential strength, making integration difficult to advance. This article evaluates the AEC's current status and future challenges by examining its stated goals of economic growth momentum and justice in the distribution of benefits. If the AEC can demonstrate achievements in these areas, it can enhance the legitimacy of continued promotion and increase member states' identification with and implementation of the AEC; otherwise, integration will face many difficulties. In other words, these factors will be key to whether the AEC's economic integration can succeed. On this basis, this article finds that the AEC has brought positive effects in promoting trade among countries and attracting foreign investment, but its added effect on overall economic growth momentum is less evident. The AEC has merely maintained the original economic growth momentum of ASEAN member states and has not further elevated it to another level; therefore, it may be difficult for it to continue obtaining sufficient legitimacy in promoting regional economic growth. In addition, the AEC has not promoted the goal of reducing the wealth gap, or its effectiveness is not evident. Although the implementation of the AEC has brought slight improvements in distributive justice and narrowing development gaps, the concentration of wealth remains extremely large.
