Liu Yunshan (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), meets with Volker Kauder, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Germany, in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2014. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Liu Yunshan on Tuesday called for stronger China-Germany relations through inter-party exchanges.

Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC, made the call in his meeting with Volker Kauder, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Germany.

The CDU and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) in Bavaria, are known together as the Union in the Bundestag, Germany's parliament.

Liu recalled President Xi Jinping's visit to Germany in March, saying the leaders' decision to upgrade China-Germany relations to an all-round strategic partnership signaled a new phase in bilateral ties.

Liu said the CPC would like to work more closely with the Union to enhance political trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation and promote China-Germany relations.

Kauder said Germany has paid more attention to China's growth in recent years.

Lauding the CPC as the driving force of China's reform and development, Kauder said the Union would like to increase party-to-party exchanges and deepen understanding of China's reform.

After Beijing, Kauder and his delegation will travel to south China's Guangdong Province.