China will avoid big fluctuations in the property market to maintain the principle that "houses are for living, not for speculation", the housing minister said.

Housing Minister Wang Menghui spoke after a report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang last week omitted the wording that "houses are for living, not for speculation", stirring speculation that more cities will risk loosening curbs on home buyers amid a slowing economy.

"We will keep property policymaking persistent and stable, and avoid the situation where prices would rise or fall sharply," Wang told.

To address the structural imbalance in the housing market, China will "vigorously" push forward with development of the rental housing market this year, Wang said.