internet split? (ch-exit)

Eric Schmidt, ex-Google CEO, predicts internet bifurcation with China

"...former Google CEO Eric Schmidt predicted that the internet will bifurcate into Chinese-led and US-led versions within the next decade..."

China splits the internet while the U.S. dithers – TechCrunch

"I think the most likely scenario now is not a splintering, but rather a bifurcation into a Chinese-led internet and a non-Chinese internet led by America," he said.

big words, what is the meaning, and what is the difference?

define:bifurcation

"the division of something into two branches or parts."

define:splintering

"break or cause to break into small sharp fragments"

Google’s Ex-CEO Eric Schmidt Predicts Separate Chinese Web