Central Asia lies directly on the path between East Asia and Western Europe, making it a key player in China's revived Silk Road plan. The five Central Asian countries -- Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan -- are all in need of large-scale infrastructure investment. The Belt and Road Initiative intends to do just that.

So far, three railway connections in the region have been completed. Pap-Angren in Uzbekistan connecting the country to China and Kyrgyzstan; Uzen-Bereket-Gorgan traversing Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran; and the Khorgos dry port in Kazakhstan that connects the country with China.

Although Tajikistan is not a part of any proposed rail link, China invested in the 350-kilometer Dushanbe-Chanak highway. The road connects the north of Tajikistan with the capital, Dushanbe.

China's energy imports from Central Asia are also strengthening ties between the countries.

Turkmenistan is China's largest natural gas supplier. In 2016, it supplied 21 percent of China's natural gas imports.

Uzbekistan has large gold and uranium deposits, as well as considerable oil and natural gas reserves. China National Petroleum Corporation has been working with Uzbekistan's national oil and gas company since 2006 to develop the country's oil fields.

The Central Asia-China gas pipeline is vital for China's natural gas supplies. It's actually three pipelines running through Uzbekistan, with a fourth under construction.

China's dependence on oil and gas imports will continue to grow, so such energy cooperation efforts will help Beijing maintain a strong connection to Central Asia.