The PTZ-89 (Type 89) was China's first purpose-built tank destroyer and also the only major Chinese combat vehicle armed with a 120-mm gun. The PTZ-89 is based on PLZ-83 self-propelled howitzer and consequently borrows the basic all-welded steel hull design with a similar configuration of the driver seated at the front left, engine to the right, and fighting compartment at the rear. The PLZ-83 incorporates a redesigned turret which mounts an indigenous 120-mm smoothbore gun that borrows some inspiration from the Rheinmetall Rh120. It can fire both Western as well as Chinese ammunition including a locally-developed APFSDS-T round which is estimated to penetrate 600 mm of steel armor at 2 km. This was a considerable improvement at the time over the 105-mm guns of existing Chinese tanks including the newest Type 88. Defensive armament consists of a turret-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun and there is NBC protection as well, although there is no amphibious capability. The PTZ-89 entered PLA service in the 1990s although the end of the Cold War made it somewhat superflous to needs which was combined with the introduction of the more powerful ZTZ-96 and ZTZ-99 tanks. As a result, only a relatively small number were built and have since been retired from front-line service.

A new indigenous 120-mm smoothbore gun began development in 1977 and was completed by 1981. It was decided to use the chassis of the PLZ-83 (Type 83) for the new vehicle which was designated PTZ-89 (Type 89). The first prototype was ready in 1988 but was first shown in public only until 1999 making it likely to have entered service well before this. There are no known variants and it was also never exported.