Judging by the etymology presented here, meaning officials, "mandarin chinese" being then "chinese as spoken by officials", I would take it as simply a rewording of his condemnation of the tendency for admiration of title in place of admiration of the title holder, which he otherwise goes on about.

A disease of officiality.

I don't know if an overtone suggesting a cultural judgement over some perceived chinese tendency for admiration of title is intended or not.