China says Taiwanese working in the mainland 'need not worry' after it suggested a death penalty for 'independence die-hards'

China said Taiwanese workers in the mainland have nothing to fear if they "Don't break the law." China on Wednesday sought to assure Taiwanese employees working in the mainland, saying its recently announced punishments for "Separatists" don't apply to them if they "Don't break the law." The comment comes as Beijing issued legal guidelines on June 21 suggesting the death penalty or prison for "Taiwan independence diehards." The declaration sparked alarm in Taiwan, where officials started restricting tours to China and warning people against traveling to the mainland. China's Taiwan Affairs Office has since repeatedly said the punishments only apply to a "Very small number" of independence supporters and accused Taiwan of fueling overblown fears of imprisonment or execution. "Taiwan compatriots, including Taiwan employees working in multinational companies, need not worry about anything so long as they don't break the law, and can study, work and live in peace in the mainland," she added. About 163,000 Taiwanese people worked in mainland China in 2021, according to a local report last year, but that number has been steadily decreasing amid building fears of war and Chinese coercion.