SHIJIAZHUANG - Germany will provide a loan of 12 million euros (16 million US dollars) for wetland protection in north China's Hebei province, the provincial government said on Monday.

Hengshui Lake will benefit from a project evaluated by German bankers and forestry experts as well as participation from locals.

The loan will help improve the management of water resources, bird habitats and education programs, according to the agreement.

Germany's government will also donate 200,000 euros besides the loan. The Chinese government will allocate 15 million yuan (2 million U.S. dollars) to the project.