China Health & Science

Suicide In China: The Story Behind the Declining Numbers

The story behind China’s suicide statistics.

Published

12 years ago

August 14, 2014

Manya Koetse

该图片由Ulrike Mai

The suicides of Chinese government officials, celebrities or office workers have consistently been making the headlines over the recent years. The latest statistics, however, shows that China has seen a dramatic drop in its suicide numbers, going from one of the world’s countries with highest suicide rates in the 1990s to a supposedly staggering 58% drop in the 2000s. What is the story behind these statistics?

This article is more than 10 years old. The…

Chapter Dive

Chinese Postdoc Death Raises Questions as Key Details Remain Missing

About a widely discussed “chilling effect”, the death of Chinese researcher Wang Danhao, and unanswered questions. (April 3 update included)

Published

6 months ago

April 1, 2026

Manya Koetse

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A Chinese postdoc’s reported suicide after questioning by US authorities became a top trending topic in China this week. Despite the widespread attention, key details remain unclear, highlighting broader concerns about the increasingly sensitive position of researchers across the US–China scientific landscape.

On March 27, news about…

Chapter Dive

The Fake Patients of Xiangyang: Hospital Scandal Shakes Welfare System Trust

Han Futao’s explosive report on fake patients and systemic abuse has triggered a heated online debate over hospital malpractices, the fragility of the welfare system, and the vital role of investigative reporting.

Published

8 months ago

February 15, 2026

Ruixin Zhang

In early February, as China settled into the quiet anticipation of the Chinese New Year, one of the country’s leading investigative journalists, Han Futao (韩福涛), dropped a bombshell report that sent shockwaves of anger across the country.

Han Futao is known for breaking massive scandals. In 2024, he exposed how tank trucks that delivered chemical products also transported cooking oil, without being cleaned. That food safety scandalsparked waves of outrage and prompted a…