Though I know the game, (known as Xiangqi--象棋, meaning "Elephant Chess" am no expert. It has a lot of similarities with "Western Chess" It is said to be mentioned in writings from the Warring States period in ancient China, around 400 BCE. It therefore predates Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di of the Qin Dynasty of the Terracotta Warriors fame.

However a short write-up can be found here, note especially the chess pieces of the two chess games:-

http://www.chessvariants.com/xiangqi.html

Though the game is commonly called "Elephant Chess",象棋, the first word 象 besides referring to an elephant, also has an alternative meaning of "being representative of" or "symbolic of" which is a better description as the chess pieces, instead of being carved into things and personalities, (like Kings, Knights, Castles, etc,), the Chinese Chess pieces have words / symbols written on them "representing" the things and personalities of the pieces.

I suppose "Symbolic or Representative Chess" does don't have the "right" ring to it though there is an elephant piece which is not really any more strategic than any other piece.