The effect of arsenate on adsorption of Zn(II) in 3 variable charge soils (Hyper-Rhodic Ferralsol, Rhodic Ferralsol, and Haplic Acrisol) and the desorption of pre-adsorbed Zn(II) in the presence of arsenate were investigated in this study. Results showed that the presence of arsenate led to an increase in both the adsorption and desorption of Zn(II) in these variable charge soils. It was also suggested that the enhanced Zn(II) adsorption by arsenate was mainly due to the increase in negative surface charge of the soils induced by the specific adsorption of arsenate, and the increase in electrostatically adsorbed Zn(II) was responsible for the increase in the desorption of Zn(II). The effect of arsenate on Zn(II) adsorption primarily depends on the initial concentration of arsenate and Zn(II), the system pH, and the nature of soils. The enhanced adsorption of Zn(II) increased with the increase in the initial concentration of arsenate and the amount of arsenate adsorbed by the soils. The presence of arsenate decreased the zeta potential of soil suspensions and soil IEP and thus shifted the adsorption edge of Zn(II) to a lower pH region. The effect of arsenate on Zn(II) adsorption in these 3 soils followed the order Hyper-Rhodic Ferralsol > Rhodic Ferralsol > Haplic Acrisol, which was consistent to the contents of iron oxides in these soils and the amount of arsenate adsorbed by the soils.