Many Americans in China cast their absentee ballots long ago and were spending this morning glued to TV and computer screens monitoring US election returns with fingers crossed.

"Living in China has made me pay more attention to voting and politics," Californian Sunnia Ko, who has lived in Hong Kong and Beijing for five years, said.

"I think we take it for granted back home because we're inundated by the media but being overseas, I have more access to media that I choose."

The 35-year-old English instructor, who voted for Democrat Barack Obama, said that while she was not very familiar with Sino-US relations, she hoped the two countries "figure out a way to ensure the relationship is one of mutual respect" under the new administration.

Coloradan economics instructor Kyle Hurst, while declining to reveal whom he had voted for, said: "I would be more in favor of the general party line of the Democrats when it comes to China than I would be for Republicans, because I fear that with the financial crises, the Republicans would be more likely to turn to isolationism."

From 8 am to 1:30 pm today, the US embassy planned a US Presidential Election Results Party at the Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel, where scores of participants were scheduled to trade their identifications for mock ballots at the door before watching election returns on TV over snacks and drinks.

Jesse Robertson, manager of round-the-clock Goose 'n' Duck Pub, said he had received several phone calls from customers about watching the election at the bar.

"We're expecting a large crowd, and we'll have the TVs showing the election on CNN," Robertson said, adding he planned to come in early and add extra staff for the event.

The Floridan cast an absentee ballot for John McCain and said he believes there is no significant difference in the candidates' China policies.

"As for the US and China, I hope there is more openness on both sides," Robertson said.

Frank Segal, owner of the Sequoia Caf chain, said he received similar calls.

"There's been a lot of interest in this election from non-Americans. Whoever I talk to from whatever country, they're all interested; my staff, they were talking about it today," the Pennsylvanian said, adding a Briton called to request he show it on a large projector screen.

The 52-year-old said Sino-US relations have become smoother in the 15 years he has lived in China.

"As a businessman here, I hope (the relationship) continues to grow in trade and services for both sides.

"Past administrations have handled it pretty well I hope we'll continue on the right track."

New Yorker Jean Lee, who has lived in Taiwan for three months, said residing outside the US has made her feel "slightly" removed from the elections, because she is not surrounded by Americans. But she has come to understand how the outside world views the process.

"I am more aligned with Obama's approach regarding increased direct engagement with China and think he brings a great deal more to the table regarding diplomacy," the 30-year-old said.

(China Daily November 5, 2008)