Before and after last weekend's annual World Bank/IMF meeting, financial leaders from across the globe presented their views on the world economy at Harvard University. What did their views have in common? And what do they imply for China?

All the financial leaders voiced concern over the failure to lift the debt ceiling of the United States and the partial government shutdown. Pierre Moscovici, the French minister of economy and finance, said he cannot sign important agreements in Washington because the furlough prevents "non-essential" federal government employees from doing their jobs.

Joaquin Almunia, vice-president of the European Commission and European commissioner for competition, said the partial shutdown has stalled crucial US-European Union negotiations on a trade and investment agreement intended to bolster growth. But he was optimistic that the difficult negotiations would eventually be completed and an agreement reached.