I think at this point, the counter argument to private enterprise is "Hey, China did it".
(I am aware that this is a facetious statement, and the main point you are aiming to make is that there are other factors that matter.)
(I am aware that this is a facetious statement, and the main point you are aiming to make is that there are other factors that matter.)
Separately, China has been moving more and more of its economy to the private sector for decades, ever since Deng Xiaoping visited Singapore: https://www.fairobserver.com/economics/china-and-its-mentor-....
I will disagree by stating that China's private sector isn't the same as a western or typical market economy private firm. The degree of state ownership is and central control are hard enough to make comps easy. State support in other ways other than ownership is another topic as well.
I will also say that the Chinese government is receptive to its constituents. Not to the degree that we can expect in a democracy, but its not oblivious either.