I pulled on my coat and headed out the door at 7:30 in the morning to join friends at a local watering hole to watch the US presidential election. It was the first time I have been out of the country for a major election, and I wanted to see how things shaped up from abroad. It has been interesting being an American in China during the final months leading up to November 7.

Many Chinese have asked me whom I support, and I was surprised that people from all over the world are interested in our election. It was then that I realized how the US election actually affects everyone, not just Americans. We sat huddled in the bar, drinking free-flow beer and watching as each state tallied their votes and commentators gave their opinions and projections for who would be the next US president.

It was safe to say that almost everyone in the bar was a Democrat and hoped to see Hillary come through with a win. Expats tend to have more liberal views, so it was not a surprise when there was banter and groans every time another state turned red on the screen.

People joked, saying, "I'm glad I am not an American today." I almost agreed. Watching an election abroad gives you a completely new perspective on how other people see your country and how what your country does is directly reflected on you as a citizen. 

It is important for expats to get involved and vote overseas. The Federal Voter Assistance Program estimates the number of Americans who are eligible to vote and who live abroad at 5.7 million. With this in mind, it is good to see expats being active and participating, even if they are not on American soil.

In my neighborhood, there were multiple events to help expats register to vote. The night before the election, a neighbor put together a Hillary campaign center in his apartment and called people to encourage them to vote. He even helped them get rides to the polls.

When the results were officially announced, some people cried. Others screamed and buried their heads in their hands. It was unexpected, something that will take more than a day to sink in.

Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion and vote. That is the point of democracy. Even though I am deeply saddened by the results, we have to pull together and hope for the best.

This article was published on the Global Times Metropolitan section Two Cents page, a space for reader submissions, including opinion, humor and satire. The ideas expressed are those of the author alone, and do not represent the position of the Global Times.