UBE2E2 encodes ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2E2, which plays an important role in the synthesis and secretion of insulin. Two previous studies indicated that SNPs in UBE2E2 were associated with risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Japanese and Korean populations, respectively. We examined the association of one SNP in this gene, rs7612463, with the risk of T2DM in 1957 Han participants in northeastern China, using an SNPscan(TM) Kit. rs7612463 genotype was significantly associated with risk for T2DM under various genetic models, including an additive model (P = 0.004), a dominant model (P = 0.024), and a recessive model (P = 0.008). The AA genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk for T2DM (P = 0.004, OR = 0.513, 95% CI = 0.325-0.810) after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI. The heterozygous genotype, AC, was associated with increased risk for total cholesterol (mmol l-1; P = 0.031) and triglycerides (mmol l-1; P = 0.039) in control individuals. Our results show that rs7612463 is associated with T2DM, with homozygotes of the AA genotype at decreased risk for T2DM in the Chinese population. Additionally, heterozygotes may have decreased risk of T2DM due to insulin resistance.