National Museum of New Zealand launched Thursday the landmark exhibition of Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality.

The exhibition features eight warriors standing 180 cm tall, and two full-size horses from the famous terracotta army, as well as two half-size replica bronze horse-drawn chariots. Also on display are more than 160 exquisite works of ancient Chinese art made from gold, jade and bronze.

Rebecca Rice (R), curator of the Museum of New Zealand, introduces Chinese terracotta warriors during the preview of the exhibition "Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality" at the Museum of New Zealand in Wellington, New Zealand, Dec. 13, 2018.

"The terracotta army represents a pinnacle of ancient Chinese art and civilization, and is one of the eight wonders in the world. The exhibition has offered an excellent opportunity for the ancient Chinese civilization to interact with young civilization in New Zealand," Wu Xi, China's Ambassador to New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Niue, said at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

"It serves as a highlight of the people-to-people exchanges between China and New Zealand this year. It also preludes the 2019 China-New Zealand year of Tourism," the ambassador said.

"In many areas, China and New Zealand have comparative advantages that complement each other. It is fair to say that with the ongoing development of China's economy and deepening cooperation in Belt and Road Initiative, the future of China-New Zealand relations will remain strong. We hope China and New Zealand will continue to enhance mutual understanding and trust through more cultural and people-to-people exchanges and practical cooperation to bring more benefits to both peoples and to contribute to the peace and prosperity in the region and beyond," she added.

"New Zealand's relationship with China is one of our most important and far-reaching relationships, based on mutual benefit and mutual respect,"New Zealand Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis said. "This important relationship is much more than selling things to each other and today's exhibition is a great example of cooperation of other areas."

"Terracotta Warriors exhibition is a cornerstone of the New Zealand program for 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism and the year of tourism is going to focus on increasing the quality of experience interest in both ways. The exhibition will encourage more New Zealanders to continue the journey to engagement and understand China, one of our most important partners," Davis added.