China allies with Russia against US military action in Syria.
"Military action would have a negative impact on the global economy, especially on the price of oil," said China's Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao, ahead of the start of G20 leaders' talks.
By Timothy Heritage
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia, Sept 5 (Reuters) - China warned on Thursday that military intervention in Syria would harm the global economy and raise oil prices, reinforcing Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to persuade US President Barack Obama to abandon plans for airstrikes.
Differences over Syria could overshadow the summit of the Group of 20 developed and developing countries in St. Petersburg, where global leaders are seeking to establish a united front for growth, trade, banking transparency and combating tax evasion.
The club that represents two-thirds of the world's population and 90 percent of global output is divided on issues such as turbulence in emerging markets and the Federal Reserve's decision to end its stimulus program for the U.S. economy.
But there is no greater rift than the difference between the US and Russia over a possible military intervention in Syria to punish President Bashar al-Assad for a chemical weapons attack that killed hundreds of people on August 21.
Putin was isolated on Syria at a Group of Eight meeting in June, the last major gathering of world powers, but will now have China's support at the G20 summit in Russia's former imperial capital.
"Military action would have a negative impact on the global economy, especially on the price of oil – it will cause an increase in the price of oil," said China's Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao, ahead of the start of G20 leaders' talks.
Like Russia, one of the main suppliers of weapons to Syria, China has veto power in the UN Security Council. Therefore, Obama is unlikely to obtain Security Council approval for military action in Syria, but is seeking approval from the US Congress.