Both links say the same thing - one old man, an expert on the history of the CCP, says Xi Jinping has a low level of cultural intelligence. They don't support the idea of this being a widespread notion.
As for control, intense power struggle is happening at the top right now, between Xi fraction and his opponents. Of course due to the opaque nature of Chinese politics nobody is sure.
Xi wants to be China's most powerful man since Mao but he is very insecure. So he is tightening control of the whole China, including Hong Kong (the extradition bill). It is working in the mainland but in Hong Kong it caused a blowback.
For me as an outsider it looks like Chinese people are scared from another massacre (for a good reason), but it's interesting to know that Xi's power doesn't look that stable for you.