Chinese media ridiculed Donald Trump on Monday, saying the President-elect has no idea how to lead a superpower, as Beijing denied it had stolen a US research drone.

The Global Times led a media chorus against Mr Trump after he accused Beijing via Twitter of stealing the drone, which had been taken by a Chinese vessel which had been shadowing the USNS Bowditch in the South China Sea.

“Trump is not behaving as a president who will become master of the White House in a month,” said the highly nationalist newspaper, which often publishes provocative editorials.

“He bears no sense of how to lead a superpower.”

The China Daily also lambasted Mr Trump for his allegation that China stole the drone which was in international waters.

"What is truly amazing about this tweet, was the soon-to-be US president completely misrepresented what had actually happened - that is more dangerous than funny," the state-controlled newspaper said.

Trump's behaviour "could easily drive China-US relations into what Obama portrays as 'full-conflict mode'," it added.