This article reviews reports of the national rural suicide rates in China for 1992. The highest rates occur in the rural areas & among young women & men over 60 years. Data reveal that suicide in China may have some unique characteristics associated with a variety of socio-cultural variables, such as traditional culture, social class, economic status, health care levels, & interpersonal problems. A lack of mental health services in rural area may be one of the associated reasons for the high rural suicide rate in China. (9 refs.)