The factory in the south of the country, completely reconstructed by China four years ago and now churning out 300,000 tonnes a year, has become a symbol of economic rebirth in the Bouenza region of the battered nation.

But one worker did not mince words when he spoke of conditions there, saying salaries were low, locals were treated as second-class, and unions were suppressed.

"There is injustice practiced here by the Chinese management that is similar to a form of slavery," the 25-year-old said.

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Others make similar comments, and a local leader of the president's political party offered a blunt solution: "The Chinese have to leave because it is unacceptable that the Congolese be treated like slaves in their own country," said Lua Mabiza.

Trade between China and Africa reached US$55.5 billion (HK$432.9 billion) last year, a more than fivefold increase from 2001.

The windfall has not come without controversy. Western nations have prodded China to exert more pressure on leaders in places such as Sudan over human rights issues, and some Africans say mainland companies exploit workers on the continent.

Mainland officials have hit back at Western critics, accusing them of neocolonialist attitudes and saying Beijing's investments are based on mutual cooperation, resulting in benefits for the countries involved.

The former Congo Cement of Loutete is located halfway between Brazzaville, the administrative capital, and Pointe-Noire, the economic capital. The factory was ravaged by the civil war between 1998 and 2002. When the Chinese reconstructed it, they renamed it the New Cement Company of the Congo.

A mainland official in charge of personnel denied there were problems, saying there was a "good working climate."

Shen Sie added: "The salaries we pay Congolese workers are very high."

Last year, the management, under pressure from the government, signed contracts with 200 Congolese workers at a base salary of 46,799 CFA francs per month (HK$759). CFA stands for Cooperation financiere en Afrique centrale.

Still, the worker said he earned only 20,000 francs per month for eight hours of work per day. He said that was less than half the lowest salary allowed by law, or 50,000 francs.

He said workers were not allowed to form a union, adding that 40 were fired last year for trying to create one.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE