Hong Kong should be allowed to set up its own educational institutions on the mainland to better facilitate the cultural and social integration of the Pearl River Delta region, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said yesterday.

Susanna Wong, a professor at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), said: "Economic integration wouldn't be possible without people adopting a more open-minded approach. Universities are the best place for the exchange of ideas."

According to the current regulation, Hong Kong, like all foreign countries, can only partner with a mainland university or enterprise to establish a joint venture for higher education.