Why were walls usually not load-bearing in traditional Chinese timber buildings?

In traditional Chinese timber architecture, walls are not load-bearing because the structural integrity of the building is provided by a post-and-lintel frame. This system consists of vertical posts topped by horizontal tie beams, which support the roof through a complex arrangement of brackets and trusses.1

Because the weight of the roof is transferred directly to the ground through these columns, the walls serve only as non-structural infill. These spaces between the columns—known as bays—can be filled with various materials, such as brick, plaster, or bamboo wattle, or they may be left open to create galleries. This design allows for flexibility in the building's appearance and function, as the walls do not need to support the heavy, tiled roofs that characterize the style.1