China is learning a new skill in its marquee campaign to catch economic fugitives in other countries and bring them home — the power of persuasion.

Operation Fox Hunt claimed nearly two scalps a day in its first year. The problem: Most suspects returned of their own accord while the bigger fish are in Western democracies such as the U.S., Australia and Canada, where China lacks formal extradition agreements and must convince the courts they have a case.

Since the start of the year, the catch rate has slowed to about one a day. In response China is adapting its modus operandi, working more closely with police in other countries plus Interpol, sharing intelligence and evidence, and sending high-level officials to the U.S. to try and smooth the way.