The biggest fear of the 1800s was the fear of China and to an extent Asia modernizing. They were actually terrified at this prospect. This was called the Yellow Peril. Nicholas II was goaded into the war with Japan by Wilhelm II to "save the white race".
Note this thread doesn't endorse 1800s racism and the Chinese are not evil.
Note this thread doesn't endorse 1800s racism and the Chinese are not evil.