Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang Friday urged the head of Europe's largest car maker, Volkswagen, to work more closely with Chinese partners on fuel-efficient vehicles.

Zhang told VW chief executive officer Martin Winterkorn in a meeting in Beijing that China was pursuing sustainable development, and the government was increasingly focused on the development of new energy cars.

"As the world's leading auto maker, Volkswagen has worked successfully with Chinese businesses over the past 20 years," Zhang said in the hour-long meeting.

He urged VW to play to its strength in energy efficient and environmental protection technology and work more closely with Chinese partners.

Zhang briefed Winterkorn on China's package of measures to tackle the global economic downturn last year, saying China's economy had rebounded and the yearly auto sales had for the first time reached 10 million.

Winterkorn said Volkswagen would step up its cooperation with Chinese businesses and expand investment and research and development spending.

Germany-based Volkswagen has 14 subsidiaries in China, with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and First Automobile Works being the two major Chinese partner companies.

The meeting coincided with the ongoing 2010 Beijing Motor Show, where Volkswagen unveiled an updated flagship Phaeton sedan.