The PLZ-89 (Type 89) is a 122-mm self-propelled howitzer that appears to have been an attempt create a similar vehicle to the 2S1 Gvozdika. The PLZ-89 features an all-welded aluminium hull and borrows some automotive components to the Type 77 APC. The driver is seated at the front left, with the commander behind him and the engine compartment to the right. The fighting compartment features a fully traversible turret (the first in a Chinese SPH) which mounts a 122-mm howitzer. This is a slightly modified version of the Type 83 towed howizter (itself based on the Soviet D-30) which can fire ammunition at a range of 15.3 km and base bleed projectiles to 21 km, in addition to a rate of fire of up to 6-8 rounds per minute in burst mode. A semi-automatic loading mechanism is provided and it can be loaded at any angle. Defensive armament consists of a roof-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun. Full amphibious capability is also provided and likely, NBC protection as well. The PLZ-89 is believed to have entered service with the PLA sometime in the 1990s and has been exported to Venezuela. It is in the process of being replaced by the PLZ-07 of similar caliber.

The PLZ-89 was first seen in public during a National Day celebration on 1 October 1999, which suggests it entered service around that time. No variants aside from the basic model are known to exist.