Taiwan
Diplomatic Protection

A Chinese government spokeswoman said the Japanese Government is responsible for the so-called German Mark bonds which the Japanese colonial government in Taiwan was alleged to have forcibly sold to Taiwanese residents in 1923. At least 30,000 Taiwanese households may still hold the bonds, which reportedly could be worth as much as US$20 billion. Japan claimed that those were banknotes, not bonds, and denied responsibility. While the fact that mainland China attempts to espouse claims of Taiwanese residents against Japan seems to land a blow on Taiwan's claim to state sovereignty, it is doubtful what legal standing mainland China may establish in relation to what appease in essence to be non-performance of financial obligations by Japan to her former colonial subjects.