The purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive and detailed overview of the extent and significance of the rapid rise of power of the People's Republic of China in the past few decades and the impact that this formation of a new center of power will have on the already established, post – Cold War international order with the United States as the undisputed, dominant world power. This contemporary clash of a ruling power and a rising one is analized through the context of Thucydides's trap, highlighting and addressing the main structural effects that have in the past proven to be the most relevant for the final outcome of a clash between opposing forces. Furthermore, the analysis of the millennial history of Chinese civilization provides an exhaustive insight necessary to understand the complex worldview of the modern People's Republic of China, while a description of the current national strategy, its challenges and reforms, offers an overview of the ongoing situation within the state. Additionally, the paper explores the importance of distinct cultural differences between these opposing states and the effect that they have on foreign policy development. Finally, the paper depicts the most important potential sources of future instability within the relations between the superpowers involved in this latest version of Thucydides's trap, highlights relevant historical lessons on how to successfully navigate the peaceful outcome of the clash, and describes possible response strategies of the United States of America to the accelerated rise of this new contender from the Far East.