This study examines a theoretical model for suicidal ideation with physical symptoms & self-esteem as 2 competitive predicting variables. A national sample of 1433 cases was drawn in China in March 1995. Both suicidal ideation & attempt rates are lower in the Chinese population than in other populations studied. Chinese women are more likely to think about & to attempt suicide than Chinese men. Self-esteem was a much stronger predictor of suicidal ideation than were physical symptoms. (46 refs.)