Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a mitochondrial transporter protein and can affect the function of β-cells. We investigated a possible association between functional UCP2 -866G/A and Ala55Val polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes in 715 Hubei Han Chinese. No significant association was found, either for the -866G/A polymorphism (allele, P = 0.254; genotype, P = 0.508) or for the Ala55Val polymorphism (allele, P = 0.250; genotype, P = 0.896). Then, we reviewed the association of UCP2 -866G/A and Ala55Val polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes susceptibility in the Chinese population with a meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis, which included 3643 Chinese, further confirmed a lack of association of -866G/A and Ala55Val with type 2 diabetes (additive model: -866G/A, odds ratio = 1.09, 95% confidence interval = 0.94-1.27, P = 0.25; Ala55Val, odds ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval = 0.85-1.72, P = 0.28). Based on our case-control study and meta-analysis, we conclude that UCP2 Ala55Val and -866G/A polymorphisms are not significantly associated with type 2 diabetes risk in the Chinese population.