Uighur Muslims dominated Xinjiang's population until heavy migration of Han, the largest ethnic group in China, began in the region.

Several media outlets have noted reports in Western media outlets that the authorities are promoting Han migration and inter-ethnic marriages "in a bid to quell the Uighurs".

The autonomous region, in China's far west, has seen an upsurge in violence in recent months, which Beijing blames on Uighur separatists.

A few news portals have published articles supporting the policy, and suggest that the plan should also be implemented elsewhere.

However, the Global Times has observed scepticism over the scheme with some arguing that authorities should not intervene in citizens' personal matters.

According to the paper, local officials have stopped publicising the policy amid increased media attention.

"The intention of the policy is good, but it has to be carefully implemented… It might end up strengthening ethnic identity and create social pressure on [mixed-race] families," warns Li Xiaoxia, a professor with the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences, adding that mixed marriages are "rare in Xinjiang and are not likely to spread".
'Militarism in Japan'

Meanwhile, papers commemorate the 69th anniversary of China's second war with Japan.

Japanese forces invaded and occupied Manchuria in northern China in 1931. A wider war between the two countries began in 1937 and ended with Japan's surrender in August 1945, days after the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The commemorative event comes amid strained ties between Beijing and Tokyo over historical issues and territorial disputes.

Several papers have published editorials and articles recalling the "disasters and suffering that the invasion caused", while warning against the "revival of militarism in Japan".

"The celebration of the victory is not only to commemorate the event, but it is also in defence of peace… Until today, lessons from history must still be remembered as the right-wing forces in Japan are still white-washing history and becoming more aggressive," says the People's Daily.

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