This invention relates to a cross-linkable chitosan composition comprising chitosan having a degree of deacetylation between 30 and 75%, wherein the chitosan is randomly deacetylated, and a cross-linking agent, wherein the molar ratio of the cross-linking agent to chitosan is 0.2:1 or less based on the number of functional groups in the cross-linking agent and the number of accessible amino groups in the chitosan. The invention also provides a chitosan hydrogel formed therefrom and uses thereof.