MANILA - CHAMPAGNE corks popped across Asia as former schoolmates in Indonesia, the Japanese town of Obama and thousands of American expats on Wednesday celebrated Barack Obama's historic election as US president.

Bars were packed in cities from Beijing to Sydney as election fever gripped the region amid the Democratic candidate's win over Republican John McCain.

Former classmates of the new president-elect reacted with pride as the chubby little boy they knew as Barry sealed the win.

'It's just amazing, I mean we're so proud of him,' said Mr Dewi Asmara Oetojo, a lawmaker in Indonesia's parliament who was a school friend of Obama in the 1960s.

The champagne also flowed in the Philippines, where a group of Democrats celebrated Mr Obama's victory in a modest home in upmarket Manila.

'It was a blow-out. I can't believe how happy I am', said Mr Bill Fischelis of Boston as he handed out champagne in plastic cups and patted people on the back.

'Americans abroad say, Obama! Obama!', the group chanted.

An ocean away from the United States, the ancient Japanese fishing town of Obama rejoiced with hula dancers, ecstatic chanting and some rock 'n' roll in honour of its namesake.

In tribute to Hawaii, Mr Obama's state of birth, dozen residents in garlands and 'I Love Obama' T-shirts danced the hula as late-night returns put Mr Obama over the top.

'I'm so excited because Obama shares our town's name. But even if the town was called McCain, I would still support Barack Obama,' said dancer Masayo Ishibashi, 44, wearing a Hawaiian skirt.

In the Japanese capital Tokyo, people spoke of their hopes for the future after Mr Obama's win.

'I support Obama, because he would be the first African-American president in the United States. Also he seems to be the person who is the most reliable', said company employee Maki Yamakawa.

Celebrations were underway early in Sydney where hundreds streamed into an event organised by expat Democrats to cheer the senator from Illinois on his road to the White House.

'I think the overwhelming feeling is excitement and hope, not confidence, but hope', Ms Lyndsi Crowder, a Democrat volunteer, told AFP.

Mr Richard Benedict, 39, an architect originally from the southern US state of Alabama, said: 'I figure this is one of the most historic moments of my lifetime in terms of American politics and I don't want to miss one minute of the results.'

In China, many of Beijing's bars were full to the brim. Some introduced a special breakfast with red and blue cocktails representing the candidates.

At the swanky Marriott Renaissance hotel, 600 Chinese students, academics and government officials were hosted by US embassy officials, who gave them a taste with a voting booth complete with ballot box and real ballot.

Ms Joyce Tu, a pro-Obama Chinese businesswoman, lamented the lack of elections in China.

'China will never have a minority president', she told AFP, 'and will never have a non-Communist party president as long as we never have elections'.

In Hong Kong, cheers erupted at the packed Foreign Correspondents' Club as Mr Obama was declared the winner. Guests were glued to CNN for hours awaiting the results.

In Afghanistan, where tens of thousands of US soldiers are still fighting Al-Qaeda remnants and the Taleban, about 150 Americans, Afghans and US embassy staff watched the results come in at the upmarket Serena hotel - targeted by bombers in January.

Mr Rafaat, an Afghan who runs a finance company and spends much of his time in the United States, said Mr Obama would be a welcome change from President George W. Bush.

'This is a good news for America and for Afghanistan', he said.

'We are fed up with Bush and his policies. My wife voted for Bush in 2000 and we regretted it for seven years'.

In Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, US embassies organised election parties while crowds gathered in the Malaysian capital's coffee shops and restaurants to see the results come through. -- AFP