Suicide rates in the Beijing region increase with age. The rural suicide rate is about 2-5 times that of the urban in various age-gender groups. The elderly suicide rate is very serious especially in rural areas. The average suicide rate for the Beijing region for the period 1987-1996 was 9.8 per 100,000 (6.0 & 17.3 for urban & rural areas respectively). A low male-to-female ratio was also observed. The female suicide rate for the 15-34 age group was higher than that of males. Suicide rates in the Beijing region were shown to be on a decreasing trend among adolescent & the old-age groups. These findings can be explained by some of the distinct cultural & economic traits of China. This study suggests the suicide rate in China should not be as high as the estimated rate of 31 per 100,000 indicated by Murray & Lopez (1996). (31 refs.)