German companies have complained about state-owned Chinese rivals landing an increasing number of contracts in eastern Europe and central Asia by means of "price-dumping, aggressive financing and generous risk-guarantees" from Beijing.

In a paper seen by the Financial Times, German industry's Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations warns that China seems driven by geopolitical rather than economic goals, with potentially dire consequences for the European Union.

The committee, which represents five industry associations and 140 top companies, called on Berlin to lobby Beijing and European countries to ensure China does not help its exporters more than other nations.

The call comes amid tensions between Beijing and the west over exchange rates and perceived impediments to trade and investment in China - and also reflects fears about Chinese companies' increasing technological know-how.

A number of leading German industrialists, among them the chief executives of BASF and Siemens, criticised China this summer for its procurement practices and for a forced transfer of know-how in return for market access.