Maybe China is the best anyone has ever been at social engineering and maybe this time they'll get it just right. I'm not so sure.
Considering the level of social infrastructure in the former DDR exceeded that in the BRD at the time of reunification, they might have had a point there. More public hospitals, more research facilities, better public transportation, more affordable housing. Sure, none of it had the flashy elements of Western capitalism, but it mostly worked.
Note that I'm not endorsing the Stasi or the many other things the DDR did to keep its population oppressed. But real life is full of grey areas.
The Soviet space program comes to mind as well - the state can do plenty!