HANGZHOU, China--Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday played down Qualcomm Inc.'s problems in the country by saying the U.S. chip maker will find opportunities, in the highest-level Chinese comments to date about the company, which is facing an antimonopoly probe in China.

Mr. Li told a meeting of Chinese and foreign technology executives as well as government officials that Qualcomm had previously supported China's efforts to development its own telecommunications technology. "I believe the opportunities for Qualcomm will be greater than the challenges," he said.

Mr. Li's comments followed remarks by Qualcomm Chief Executive Paul Jacobs, who said the company "was going through some difficult discussions, but Qualcomm will continue to cooperate."

After the meeting, Mr. Jacobs told The Wall Street Journal that he was happy to hear the premier's words about cooperation.

The probe into Qualcomm is being conducted by China's National Development and Reform Commission, which oversees enforcement of the pricing aspects of the antimonopoly law. Qualcomm has said it is cooperating.

Mr. Li's comments about Qualcomm follow remarks in September by Lu Wei, China's top Internet regulator, who cited China as the source of about half the company's revenue and said "we should make money together."

Write to James T. Areddy at james.areddy@wsj.com

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