FACTBOX: Chinese in Africa: Quotes from the continent

(Reuters) - An influx of workers from China is receiving a mixed reception in Africa, where people both admire and resent the hard-working newcomers' pursuit of wealth.

Following are quotes from Africans and Chinese about the presence of Chinese workers. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is one of the few African leaders to have expressed public reservations about China's presence.

ALGERIA

-- Mohamed Badi, an engineer for a Chinese building firm:

"The Chinese are very competitive. They are well disciplined. Algeria has saved time by granting Chinese companies contracts to carry out some projects."

-- Hanane, an employee at a state bank:

"The Chinese are taking advantage of the absence of European companies. For example, the majority of dams and housing units are being built by Chinese investors. They would not have been assigned those projects if they had Western competitors here."

-- Farid Kayer, a worker in the informal currency market:

"Some Chinese people in Algeria have started promoting their country's products. Several shops have been opened to sell Chinese cloth. This phenomenon is new for us. We are waiting to see the outcome of this invasion."

LIBYA

-- Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, speech in May 2008:

"Nowadays, the Chinese communities are in every African country: The plan is to take some of its population and put them in Africa, while Africans just look on and African leaders hold fruitless meetings."

MOROCCO

-- Chinese trader in Casablanca:

"Business is good. Our wares are cheap, cheaper than the Moroccans sell and that is what the people want. The Moroccans sell the same bags as us but for 40 dirhams ($5.4). We sell them for 25. I have a house in China and a house in Morocco. I can be frustrated in Guangzhou or frustrated in Casablanca, it makes no difference to me."

-- Moroccan trader Karim: