China has had a decent track record, they are well organized. If Xi truly believed in China, then he would make it a priority to facilitate a smooth transition of power, and to enable the leader after their ascension. I really don't think this is much of an excuse for him.

The story is really simple - CCP wants to forbid any private control of information, that's it. It's not a new concept.

The Deng -> Zhao -> Jiang -> Hu years weren't very clean, and did have military involvement and civilian deaths.