The Type 80 (ZTZ-80) was prototype and technology demonstrator for China's first second-generation tank, although it appeared at a time when third-generation models were already in service with NATO and the USSR. It retained the general layout of the preceding Type 69 which it still strongly resembles, particularly thanks to its rounded cast turret (the last Chinese design to follow Soviet practice in this regard). However, there were improvements in the chassis design, most notably by the use of six smaller road wheels and an improved suspension which offers greater cross-country mobility. The Type 80 was also the first Chinese tank to use side skirts. Main armament consists of a 105-mm Type 83 rifled gun, adapted from an Austrian NATO-standard model similar to the British L7. This allows it to fire both Chinese as well as NATO ammunition. The Type 80 also has a host of equipment upgrades including a computerized fire-control system, laser rangefinder, and gun stabilizer system. Many of this equipment is of Western origin, while the engine is a license-produced design from MTU of Germany. Further improvements from the prototype resulted in the production Type 88 (ZTZ-88) which featured a host of additional incremental improvements including a longer barreled gun as well as reactive armor. However, further technology improvements from the Type 85 series towards third-generation standards meant that it too was built in relatively small numbers for the PLA, and exported only to Burma and Sudan.

Concept studies for a new second-generation tank began in 1978 and the first prototype was completed in 1985, receiving the Type 80 designation. A small number of initial vehicles were built before the next main variant, the Type 80-I which was the first true production version, entering service as the Type 88. This had a new electrically-operated smoke grenade discharger system as well as Type FY reactive armor in place of the 'boom shield'. Sub-variants include the Type 88B which was armed with a longer barreled Type 83-I gun adapted to fire ATGMs, among other equipment upgrades. The Type 88A (which came later) had a further gun upgrade and could be equipped with reactive armor. A Type 88C variant also exists but is actually a different name for the Type 85-IIM and has no direct relation to the Type 88. Lastly, an export-oriented version was known as the Type 80-II and had numerous equipment upgrades as well as provision for 'boom shield' protection but no export orders materialized.