Fri Jul 18 16:04:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, focusing on the key events and viewpoints, along with a summary:

**Summary:**

Following the U.S. designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), as a foreign terrorist organization, China has urged regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation. This comes after the TRF claimed, and later retracted, responsibility for the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. The U.S. move is expected to resonate within the UN Security Council’s 1267 Committee, potentially leading to further sanctions. Pakistan’s media acknowledges the U.S. statement aligns with India’s view that TRF is a front for LeT.
**News Article:**

**China Urges Regional Counterterrorism Cooperation After US Designates TRF Terrorist Group**

**Beijing, July 18, 2025 (The Hindu) –** China has called on regional nations to strengthen their cooperation in combating terrorism, following the United States’ decision to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a foreign terrorist organization. The TRF, linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the deadly April 22nd attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 fatalities. The TRF later backtracked on it’s claim of responsibility of the attack.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a press briefing on Friday, “China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the terrorist attack that occurred on April 22.” He further emphasized the need for regional countries to work together to maintain security and stability.

The U.S. State Department’s designation, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is expected to have repercussions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), particularly within the 1267 Committee, which oversees sanctions against terrorist groups and individuals. LeT, along with other Pakistani-based groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), is already subject to UNSC sanctions.

Pakistani newspaper *Dawn* noted that the U.S. move appeared to echo India’s long-held assessment that TRF is a “front and proxy” for the banned LeT. This observation highlights the growing international scrutiny on the activities of groups operating under different names to circumvent counterterrorism measures.

The Pahalgam attack and the subsequent U.S. designation have intensified regional tensions, with China’s call for cooperation underscoring the need for a coordinated approach to address the threat of terrorism.

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