在2021年萨摩亚总理竞选中，经过数月僵持，执政23年之久的图伊拉埃帕总理最终承认败选，信仰统一党领导人菲亚梅·内奥米以微弱优势胜出。本次大选被西方媒体称作“政治危机”，其释放出的多种竞选信号蕴含深刻的历史原因和现实需求，如国家权力与传统权威之间的平衡问题、国家与教会之间的权力边界问题、女性社会地位问题、国家医疗教育水平问题等。同时，外媒对中国援助萨摩亚进行错误解读和不实报道，导致在萨华侨华人一度出现紧张情绪。大选中引发的系列问题将持续一段时间，并有可能对萨摩亚传统社会治理和中萨关系产生影响。
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who had been Samoa’s Prime Minister Of 23 years has conceded defeat in the 2021 election after months of deadlock，Faiths United Party leader Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa won by a narrow margin. This election was called as a “political crisis” by western media. Various election signals released by the election contain profound historical reasons and realistic demands，such as the balance between state power and traditional authority，the power boundary between the state and the church，the social status of women，and the level of national medical education. Meanwhile，misinterpretation and false reports of China’s assistance to Samoa during the general election have caused tension among the Chinese community in Samoa. The above issues arising from the general election will continue to ferment for some time to come，and may have a far-reaching impact on Samoa’s traditional social governance and China-Samoa relations.
