Mutual respect
[I[I]]ATC : Cathay XXX, are you maintaining 230 knots
CathayXXX : Cathay XXX Affirmative.
ATC : (berating) When I ask a question CathayXXX, I expect you to answer! Are you maintaining 230 knots?
CathayXXX : Cathay XXX Affirmative.
ATC FLIP OUT)*&#)( &%^^(%*^ ......... are you maintaining 230 knots
CathayXXX : Affirmative means "YES" under ICAO standard phraseology. So I say again AFFIRMATIVE! WE ARE MAINTAINING 230 KNOTS.
ATC : OPEN MIC..>AHHH and then dead silence.
Affirm or Affirmative notwithstanding, that sounds out of order. Submit a captain's report to your safety guy. It shall be referred to HK ATC. You wil receive a response. It's a two way street... mutual respect.