HONG KONG, Aug 3 — Members of the public in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Saturday gathered outside the US Consulate General in Hong Kong to protest against the US interference in Hong Kong affairs.

Hundreds of protesters, who came in group in the drizzle, raised banners and placards with slogans expressing their anger, including "Stop meddling in HK affairs and causing chaos" and "Foreign forces have no right to interfere."

"Give the peaceful life back to the Hong Kong people!" the crowd chanted.

Some tried to pass letters of protest to the consulate but no one came out to receive the letters.

"We want stability and hope the US side will stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and causing chaos," said Mr. Wong, one of the protesters.

"Wanton remarks of the US side and other foreign forces have misled some of the radical youth to violence. Recent protests have severely disrupted Hong Kong residents' daily life," said Yeung, another protester.

"The Hong Kong people can handle Hong Kong's affairs, and I believe things will get better," he added.

Young people and elderly residents alike joined the protest outside the consulate in Central District of Hong Kong.

An elderly protester surnamed Wong told reporters that he believed foreign forces were behind recent violent incidents.

"Those violent radicals can not represent Hong Kong residents. What we want are stability, prosperity and well-being," he said.

Weeks of demonstrations and violent incidents have undermined the rule of law and the social order of Hong Kong, and taken a toll on its retail and tourism sectors.

"The recent incidents have disrupted our life. We can't eat well or sleep well," said a female protester surnamed Wong.

"We hope the United States will stop their interference and give a peaceful Hong Kong back to us," she said.