SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian shares got the week off to a hesitant start on Monday as surging coronavirus cases in Europe and the United states undermined the global outlook, while China's leaders meet to ponder the future of the economic giant.

has seen its highest ever number of new COVID-19 cases in the past two days, while France also set unwanted case records and Spain announced a state of emergency.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (MIAPJ0000PUS) inched up 0.1%, still short of its recent 31-month peak.

Japan's Nikkei (N225) dithered either side of steady, and South Korea's main index lost 0.3% (KS11).

Chinese blue chips (CSI300) shed 0.5% as the country's leaders met to chart the nation's economic course for 2021-2025, balancing growth with reforms amid an uncertain global outlook and deepening tensions with the United States.

A packed week for monetary policy sees three major central banks hold meetings.

The dollar index was a fraction firmer at 92.904 (=USD), after shedding almost 1% last week.

Oil prices fell further in anticipation of a surge in Libyan crude supply and demand concerns caused by surging coronavirus cases in the United States and Europe.

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