"The construction of affordable homes will help curb excessive price rises and fuel urbanization, which will in turn unleash consumption and investment potentials and push development of related industries, " Mr. Li said.

WSJ: China's Population Shifts to Cities

It is pushing for greater imports of high-tech machinery to improve manufacturing and more construction in the interior for urbanization.

FORBES: First-Quarter Trade Deficit Highlights China's Delicate Balancing Act

The tradition has declined however in recent years due to rapid urbanization, scarcity of timber and lack of available construction space, all of which combine to threaten its transmission and survival.

UNESCO: Culture