The Sino-Swiss Science and Technology Cooperation (SSSTC) program was established in 2003, after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the then Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). Based on this MoU, collaboration between Swiss and Chinese scientists has been promoted since then. The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI) and MOST are committed to continue the SSSTC for the next phase 2013–2016 (see link in the body of text above). A joint call for proposals is planned for the end of 2013/early 2014. Other funding instruments are currently under discussion and will be announced as soon as possible. The Stepping Stone Symposia are instruments under the Sino Swiss Science and Technology Cooperation (SSSTC) for promoting academic and industrial participation of the program. They are envisioned as a series of conferences participated by leading researchers and relevant industries. These conferences will thus be the “stepping stones” for Sino Swiss Cooperation in translational research. To date, two Stepping Stone Symposia have been organized in 2012: Symposium on Cancer Research and Neurodegenerative Diseases and Symposium on Medical Technology.