lots of Taiwanese receipes ask for this ingredient because they are less sweet. It is not for malt flavoring definitely. I never heard Chinese syrup, but it may be a beer making item.
I've bought a malt syrup from a health food store in Mountlake Terraces (Manna Mills), but I think you want the thicker syrup from Taiwan or china. I bought a container of that from 99Ranch (Edmonds). Pretty cheap. Look with other sugars, rock candy etc.
You can also find it at Asian Markets. Uwajimaya should carry it. I needed some for a Chinese BBQ pork recipe, and was even able to find it in Spokane.