1 Introduction Asian corporations face a fundamental governance paradox. Whilst driving approximately 60% of global GDP growth (IMF 2024) and attracting $11–13 trillion in projected ESG investment by 2025 (GSIA 2022), their concentrated ownership structures systematically constrain the activation of board diversity for sustainability outcomes. Over 67% of East Asian firms remain family-controlled (Claessens et al. 2000), whilst 61% of China's largest companies are state-owned (PIIE 2023).