In Python’s C API, a strong reference is a reference to an object which increments the object’s reference count when it is created and decrements the object’s reference count when it is deleted.

The Py_NewRef() function can be used to create a strong reference to an object. Usually, the Py_DECREF() function must be called on the strong reference before exiting the scope of the strong reference, to avoid leaking one reference.

See also borrowed reference.