The 5th Tank Division (Chinese: 坦克第5师) was formed on April 1, 1969 from 323rd Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment from 118th Army Division, 324th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment from 119th Army Division, 325th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment from 120th Army Division and 396th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment from 191st Army Division.

On August 19, 1969, the division was composed of: In December 1969, 3rd Independent Tank Regiment was detached from the division, and in January 1970 2nd Crew Training Tank Regiment was attached to the division and renamed as 20th Tank Regiment.

On January 1, 1983, the division was put under command of 40th Army Corps.

In April, division re-activated a new 18th Tank Regiment.

The remnant of the division was re-organized as Armored Brigade, 40th Army(Chinese: 第40集团军装甲旅).