A new wood-frame building code in Shanghai will be a major step to expanding Canada's wood exports to one of the fastest growing markets in the world, according to the provincial government.
The Shanghai Local Code is the first comprehensive set of guidelines for wood-frame construction in China and will provide a framework for similar codes in other cities and provinces in China.
It will address all the technical issues related to wood-frame construction including structural, fire, durability, energy conservation, noise transmission and construction inspection.
Modern wood-frame construction methods had been more difficult to implement in China because of the complex and dated building and fire codes.
Canada has become the second largest supplier to China of softwood lumber with 98% of Canada's wood coming from B.C.
Canada's market share, however, pales in comparison to Russia's 85%, but Canada and New Zealand are increasing their export levels.
On Monday, Canada signed a memorandum of understanding with Shanghai to contribute $800,000 in the coming year to construct wood-frame demonstration buildings.
The MOU is hoped to create an opportunity to use wood-frame construction for the city's affordable housing needs.
Shanghai is expected to build 20 million square metres of affordable housing space by 2012. it is part of China's national campaign to build $141 billion worth of affordable housing across the country.