US election: Biden declared himself winner – China refuses to congratulate President-elect

China has said that it was not aware of Joe Biden winning the US presidential election, declining to congratulate him.

The Asian giants said the outcome of the vote was still to be determined.

Despite media houses projecting Joe Biden as the winner of the tightly contested election after he polled over 270 college votes, incumbent Donald Trump is yet to concede and has filed several legal challenges.

China’s foreign ministry Spokesman, Wang Wenbin, told the press at a regular briefing Monday that his country had “noticed that Mr Biden declared he is the winner of the election.

"Our understanding is that the outcome of the election will be determined in accordance with US laws and procedures,” he said.

Many world leaders have since sent their congratulatory message to Biden and running mate Kamala Harris.

Trump’s presidency has been marked by a costly trade war and increasingly icy relations with China.