"Currently, the property market adjustment is still at a crucial stage and we must unswervingly continue the work and make the fight against speculative property investment demand a long-term policy," the official Xinhua news agency quoted Wen as saying during a trip to the eastern province of Jiangsu.

Officials have repeatedly vowed to keep property curbs amid fears of renewed housing inflation as the central bank eases policy and local governments try to support the market and offer subsidies and other incentives for home buyers.

The central bank surprised investors on Thursday with a second interest rate cut in less than a month, stepping up efforts to support the slowing economy.

Government policy over the last two years has aimed at taming record prices and addressing the concerns of millions of people who cannot afford to purchase a home.

Property curbs include barring people from buying more than two properties and raising mortgage rates.