third island chain

English

Alternative forms

• Third Island Chain

Etymology

By extension, from second island chain

Proper noun

third island chain

1. (politics, India) The Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Sumatra; from Burma in the north to either the Indonesian Archipelago, or Australia in the south.
2. (politics, US) The Aleutian Islands, Emperor Seamounts, Hawaiian Islands, Line Islands, New Zealand; from Alaska to New Zealand or Tasmania and Australia.

Usage notes

Geopolitical terminology, regarding the presumed geopolitical control zone aspired to by a rising People's Republic of China.

Related terms

• first island chain / First Island Chain
• second island chain / Second Island Chain