[Objective] The ecological environment in China''s arid and semi-arid regions is highly vulnerable, with soil erosion posing a significant challenge. In light of climate warming, investigating the current state of soil water erosion in these areas is of critical importance.[Methods] This study based on the RULSE model to calculate the model factors and soil water erosion modulus for China''s arid and semi-arid regions for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, 2015, and 2020, and conducts an accuracy validation (R2 = 0.60).Establishing on these calculations, the optimal parameter geographic detector is utilized to analyze the dynamic driving forces and changes associated with both single and interaction factors.[Results] The key findings are as follows: (1) From 1990 to 2020, the average annual soil water erosion in China''s arid and semi-arid regions amounted to 4.71×1010 kg , exhibiting a slight upward trend in the soil water erosion modulus at a rate of 0.0007 t·hm?2·a?1. (2) The intensity of soil water erosion is predominantly characterized by slight to moderate erosion. The proportion of areas experiencing increases and decreases in soil water erosion intensity is both rising, while the proportion of areas with stable soil water erosion intensity is declining. (3) Slope, precipitation, and precipitation erosion force are identified as the primary single driving factors of soil water erosion in these regions from 1990 to 2020, with these three factors alternating as the main dominant factor throughout the study period. Interactions between any two selected factors enhance the explanatory power regarding soil water erosion, with the interaction between slope and precipitation erosion force consistently serving as the primary dominant interaction factor during the study period.Overall, the soil water erosion situation in China''s arid and semi-arid regions is experiencing slight deterioration.[Conclusion] To effectively address this issue, it is crucial to consider topographical and precipitation characteristics concurrently when implementing management measures aimed at improving soil water erosion conditions in arid areas.