BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Liu Yunshan, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Wednesday pledged to work with Germany to increase bilateral cooperation.

"We can enhance our cooperation in various areas, including environmental protection and sustainable development," Liu said when meeting with a delegation of Germany's Green Party, one of the country's major parties.

Liu, who is in charge of the CPC's publicity department, said the growth of bilateral ties accorded with common interests of both nations.

Liu Yunshan (R), head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Cem Oezdemir, co-leader of Germany's Green Party, in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2010.

The CPC and the Chinese government valued ties with Germany and with the Greens, and would expand bilateral cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, Liu said.

Cem Oezdemir, co-leader of the Greens, said his party was ready to increase coordination with China on coping with international challenges.

Oezdemir and his delegation are visiting China at the invitation of the CPC from March 16 to 20.

Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with the delegation earlier Wednesday to exchange views on promoting party-to-party relations.