I think an expert on Chinese domestic policy, which I am not, could tell you more about this.
However, we can see that the Xi Jinping's rise and strengthening of power in China is quite consensual; there's a real centralization of power around this figure.
That said, I think there's a tendency to exaggerate this centralization of power by drawing an analogy between Xi Jinping and Mao. I also think it's important to be aware that these dynamics that we're seeing in China are also a response to a number of vulnerabilities in the country.
This underscores the importance of developing, supporting and fostering expertise in Canada on Chinese domestic affairs, which must be leveraged to truly understand what's happening in China. This would have a direct impact on China's position on the international stage.