Qualcomm’s CEO Paul Jacobs said the US chip vendor has yet to hear why it faces an antitrust probe in China, according to an interview with Reuters.

The company announced in November last year that the country’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) had opened an enquiry under a local anti-monopoly law.

Qualcomm said at the time that the state agency had not said any more about its investigation and the company was not aware that it faced any charges.

“We really don’t know yet,” said Jacobs in an interview at CES 2014, pointing out it is not uncommon for regulatory authorities in other countries – as well as China – not to divulge the reason behind an antirust inquiry.

The company has said it is not aware of having violated any laws.

It has also handed over documents requested by the NDRC.

The agency has opened nearly 20 pricing-related inquiries into domestic and foreign firms over the last three years, according to official publications and research published by law firms.

A December report from local media did quote a senior official at the NDRC who said it had gathered “substantial evidence” against the chipmaker.

It has been suggested that the Chinese government may be seeking some leverage in royalty negotiations or attempting to support local vendors in competition with Qualcomm, said the Reuters report.