China has criticized a United Nations human rights resolution condemning Syria's deadly eight-month crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters Wednesday that U.N. condemnation did not help solve Syria's problems. He said dialogue is the only way to protect human rights.

China was among 41 nations to abstain from voting on a U.N. resolution that condemns what it describes as continued grave and systematic human rights violations by Syria.

China Wednesday also welcomed the formation of Libya's new government and acknowledged Libya's willingness to compensate Chinese companies for losses incurred during the unrest.