The mechanism of climate and vegetation change induced dust variations has been a phenomenal environmental concern in East Asia. However, the extent to which climate and vegetation cover separately affect the interannual variations of dust activity, is little known. Here in our study, the dust interannual variations and the contributions of climate and vegetation changes on dust variations were investigated and quantified through a regional climate model (RegCM4.9.5) and GeoDetector analysis. It is indicated that the dust aerosol optical depth, column burden and emission flux over East Asia all showed fluctuating downward trends followed by subsequent increases during 2000–2018. Climatic factors dominated the interannual variation of dust over East Asia, particularly the modulation of El Niño Southern Oscillation events. Vegetation improvement has occurred in most dust source regions across East Asia, playing a secondary yet positive role in dust variations, with an overall contribution rate of approximately 37 %. The spatial heterogeneity of dust variations in different regions was shaped by the effects of climate change and improved vegetation conditions.