Elected governments can only really be in power for a couple of years, generally struggle to implement wide and sweeping reforms, and can't focus on the long-term since they are constrained to the short term of earning votes.
An unelected government like China's can focus on extremely long-term social and economic planning, and even focus on what would be very unpopular measures in some places, like genetic engineering.
Is there an effective middle ground between the two?
We shouldnt abandon democracy, but we should combine aspects of different forms of government.